The Virginia State Corporation Commission selected GolinHarris Public Affairs to lead an integrated, state-wide communications campaign to motivate Virginia consumers to save energy. The Virginia Energy Sense program will empower Virginia households, businesses, schools and other institutions with information so they can understand the choices available to them to cost-effectively reduce their electricity demand.
The state Legislature established the program in 2008 with the goal of lowering the Commonwealth’s power demand 10% below the 2006 level by 2022. The Virginia Energy Sense campaign will work to help the state achieve that goal. Virginia is one of only a handful of states running comprehensive consumer energy education programs. The Virginia Energy Sense campaign will include strong advertising and grassroots components to reach residents in every part of the state.
GolinHarris Public Affairs partnered with Peter D. Hart Research Associates; Squier Knapp Dunn, a full-service, independent communications firm; and NeverLand Software & Systems, which will manage the Web site, to win the contract. Together, the agencies will work to educate consumers about energy choices and increase awareness of the options for conserving energy, including through demand- side management and use of renewable energy.