§17281 National Media Campaign

Summary

The Secretary must develop and run a national media campaign to make the U.S. more energy efficient, to point out how efficiency helps national security, and to cut oil use during the 10-year period that began on December 19, 2007. The campaign can be done directly or by hiring national media firms through competitive contracts, or by teaming up with national institutes, businesses, or nonprofits to fund, make, and distribute monthly TV, radio, and newspaper public service announcements. Congress authorized $5,000,000 for each year from fiscal 2008 through 2012 to fund the campaign. At least 50% of each year’s money must go to efforts to reduce oil use over the next decade. Of the funds available each year, at least 85% must pay for ads (buying time/space, creative and talent, testing, and measuring effectiveness); the rest can cover operations and management. The Secretary must send Congress an annual report describing the campaign plan, results (including changes in total and per‑person energy use), whether the campaign helped reduce energy use, ad buying plans, safeguards against waste or fraud, and all related contracts or agreements.