Mobilization for Charitable Energy Assistance

The Mobilization Begins

Since 2003, the National Fuel Funds Network has promoted giving to fuel funds by NFFN’s Mobilization for Charitable Energy Assistance. The Mobilization has successfully engaged governors across the U.S. to command the attention of the media and motivate people in their respective states to increase donations for charitable energy assistance.

Each fall since 2003, the Network’s Chairperson has written to the all of nation’s governors, urging them to use the power of their office to encourage their residents to contribute energy aid funds and to educate the public about available assistance, both charitably-donated and federally-funded.

To complement the letters, NFFN has produced a Mobilization toolkit each year and urged its members to contact their governors and ask for their support. The toolkit contains information that will help NFFN members and others encourage governors across the nation to help inform the public about fuel funds and the urgent need for charitable donations. The toolkit has examples of successful mobilization efforts, model language and other resources. Click here to access the toolkit.

In September 2007, NFFN Chairperson Greg Sawyers will again write all 50 governors to use the command of their offices to build the nation’s charitable resources for energy assistance, as the winter approaches. To assist the Network in engaging the governors, please contact NFFN Executive Director George Coling.

Mobilization Results in the States

In the winter of 2003-04, three governors responded to the Mobilization with media events and special events. In 2004-05, four governors responded to the Mobilization by holding press conferences, participating in public service announcements and issuing proclamations designating energy assistance weeks. Governors in Maryland and Michigan designated a week in February 2005 to promote energy assistance programs, while governors in Connecticut and Wisconsin appealed for donations through the media. In 2006 and 2007, governors from four other states have – with the encouragement of NFFN members – applied the suggestions of the Mobilization in various activities. Other governors have initiated legislative and educational campaigns on energy assistance since 2003. The summary below includes Governor-initiated efforts, in which NFFN members have had an active role as a part of the Mobilization for Charitable Energy Assistance.

MICHIGAN

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm issued a proclamation making the week of February 21, 2005 “Keep Michigan Warm Week” and encouraged Michigan residents to donate to fuel funds in their communities. View the proclamation.

The week featured the release of Michigan’s Energy Affordability Study by The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm’s “Legislative Day” at the state capital in Lansing, THAW’s Night of Warm Hearts Gala, and the Detroit Department of Human Services’ Heat the Street 10K and 5K Run and Walk for Warmth. Visit www.heatthestreets.org/ for more information. Heat the Streets

In addition, community action agencies throughout the state held Walk for Warmth events in their local communities during “Keep Michigan Warm Week.” In February 2006, Governor Granholm gave a Michigan-wide radio address on energy assistance. Click here to listen.

With the support of Governor Granholm and the work of Michigan agencies and utilities, similar activities were organized during “Keep Michigan Warm Weeks” in early 2006 and 2007.

MARYLAND

In Maryland, Governor Robert Ehrlich proclaimed the week of February 21, 2005 “Energy Help Week”, and many country Boards of Commissioners followed suit issuing their own proclamations recognizing the efforts of fuel funds, local utilities, and the state’s Office of Home Energy Programs. See a sample county resolution.

Energy Help Week featured numerous activities including across the state low-income families, outreach events designed to help those in need apply for assistance, energy conservation and awareness projects in public schools, and newspaper and radio ads.

In addition, Gov. Ehrlich recorded a radio public service announcement to be aired during the week. Click here to access the PSA.

Governor Martin O’Malley continued Energy Assistance Week in February 2007, marked by aseries of activities including a remote broadcast by a radio station in Cumberland, an Energy Assistance Expo in Baltimore, and expanded outreach efforts in several counties. In addition, Baltimore County and Cecil County governments issued proclamations supporting “Energy Assistance Week.”

Governor Jim Doyle WISCONSIN

Governor Jim Doyle recorded two public service announcements (10 seconds and 15 seconds) encouraging donations to local fuel funds. It began running in February 2005.

CONNECTICUT
Governor Jodi Rell

Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell held a press conference in December 2004 tourge Connecticut residents to contribute to the statewide Operation Fuel. As Lt. Governor, she had held similar events in the two previous years.

IOWA

Governor Tom Vilsack recorded two public service announcements in early 2004 informing residents about energy assistance and urging Iowans to make donations to utility customer contributions funds. Click here to view the PSAs -- 30-second (3.5 MB) and 15-second (1.7 MB). The files are in MOV format which requires a QuickTime plug-in to view.

Governors Act to Boost Energy Assistance Awareness

The governors of Arkansas and Michigan have issued proclamations highlighting the importance of energy assistance and designating February for the promotion of energy assistance programs.

In his proclamation making February “Home Energy Assistance Month,” Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe pointed out that “while nearly one-third of a million households in Arkansas” meet the income standards for federal energy assistance only 18 percent received aid through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The governor’s proclamation urged “the Arkansas Congressional Delegation and the 110th Congress to increase LIHEAP appropriations to their full and authorized levels, to provide advance funds, and to ensure a more equitable allocation of resources to at-risk Arkansan, who need this vital assistance.”

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm declared February “Keep Michigan Warm Month” and encouraged “all citizens to join in the efforts to take action in their own community by giving generously to one or more of the many local programs providing this vital assistance to those in need.”

According to the governor, “more than 181,000 households must pay 42 percent of their annual income for energy and an additional 103,000 households pay more than 17 percent, causing a direct economic effect on local communities, both in the stress on community and social programs and on local businesses.”

Meanwhile in Maryland, the third week in February was designated “Energy Assistance Week” and was marked by a series of activities including a remote broadcast by a radio station in Cumberland, an Energy Assistance Expo in Baltimore, expanded outreach efforts in several counties. In addition, Baltimore County and Cecil County governments issued proclamations supporting “Energy Assistance Week.”

Last October, the NFFN kicked-off its 4th Mobilization for Charitable Energy Assistance by writing to the nation’s governors asking for their help in increasing awareness of the charitably funded energy assistance programs in their states.