Outreach and Education
Energy Education
Elsen Energy Consulting advised the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority on the incorporation of energy education exhibits into the renovations planned for the Potomac Overlook Regional Park. The firm provided support to the park manager on the educational content of visual and interactive components of the park exhibits that inform visitors of the energy cycle in the natural environment, energy and water resources, the creation of fossil fuels, renewable energy sources and the environmental impacts of energy production, resource extraction and energy consumption.
State Renewable Portfolio Standard – Consumer Outreach and Education
Ms. Elsen managed ICF International’s support to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop a statewide outreach/education campaign on the New York Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), the system benefit charge that funds the RPS and environmental disclosure by investor-owned utilities. Support included assessment of current information on RPS and messaging options, proposed design of market research to measure ratepayer awareness and attitudes, a stakeholder process to obtain input into the strategic implementation of the campaign, identification of venues for reaching local and municipal governments, and development of objectives, metrics and messaging framework for a statewide campaign.
Renewable Energy Market Development
The Green Power Partnership is a federal-level voluntary program that promotes the purchase of renewable energy by public and private sector organizations. Ms. Elsen managed ICF International’s support to the EPA for the implementation of the Partnership, including program design modifications; coordination with product providers, marketing, communications and public relations; technical assistance; and tracking program data. As of December, 2007, the Green Power Partnership has over 800 members who are purchasing more than ten-million megawatt-hours of renewable-generated electricity.
Power Shopping – Consumer Education Campaign
Ms. Elsen designed and implemented an ongoing consumer outreach and education campaign on electric utility deregulation for residents and businesses in Montgomery County. The campaign communicated the affects of deregulation in an impartial, credible manner to constituents, and incorporated colorful, lively images and language. Power Shopping employed a variety of media to convey information regarding customer choice of an electricity supplier and a range of economic and environmental concerns, including generation fuel mix and air emissions, evaluation of price offers for electric service and the billing components of an electricity product. Power Shopping was the first consumer education campaign of its kind in the state, providing consumer awareness that fostered the later success of the County’s Clean Energy Rewards program.
Energy Vampires – Consumer Education
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection needed to create a small-scale consumer education effort on energy efficiency in consumer electronics. Elsen Energy contributed consumer-friendly web content, a fact sheet and the creation of a 15-minute television program for local cable. The program provided energy-saving tips to residents, utilized humorous graphic images, explained product energy use labels and the EPA Energy Star® logo, and included an interview with Ms. Elsen.
Green Buildings and LEED®
Contact Elsen Energy Consulting to learn more about the firm’s services and request information.