§17281 National Media Campaign

Summary

The Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, must create and run a national media campaign for the 10-year period beginning on December 19, 2007. The campaign must work to increase energy efficiency across the U.S. economy, explain how efficiency helps national security, and lower oil use in the United States. The campaign must include monthly television, radio, and newspaper public service announcements. The Secretary can hire nationally known media firms by competitive bid or work with national institutes, businesses, or nonprofits to fund, make, and distribute the announcements. Congress may provide $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to run the campaign. At least 50% of each year’s money must go to efforts that cut oil consumption. At least 85% of each year’s funds from this authorization must pay for advertising work (buying media time and space, creative and talent costs, testing ads, and evaluating results); the rest may pay administrative and management costs. The Secretary must send Congress an annual report on the campaign plan, results (including changes in total and per-person energy use and whether the campaign helped), ad buying plans, anti-fraud steps, and all related contracts or agreements.