Energy Upgrade California Encourages Residents to “Do Your Thing” to Lead the Way in Energy Efficiency
State Legislators, Environmentalists and Business Leaders in Support
of the Movement to Keep California No. 1 in Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Usage
SACRAMENTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Golden State leaders are encouraging trendsetting Californians to “Do
Your Thing”TM to set the pace for energy efficiency.
State political, environmental and business leaders stand in support of
Energy Upgrade California’s launch today of a new campaign for smarter
energy use.
Starting today, Energy Upgrade California is putting new energy behind
educating all Californians about smarter energy use to make California
cleaner, healthier and more prosperous by:
- Reducing pollution from power plant carbon emissions
-
Decreasing pollution-related health costs and promoting an active
outdoor lifestyle - Creating jobs and economic development
“Californians are pioneers. Through the Energy Upgrade California
program, we will continue to lead in energy efficiency,” said California
Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, a primary author of the Clean Energy and
Pollution Reduction Act of 2015. “We’re setting a new standard by
showing how one of the great economies of the world can cut greenhouse
gases and create new companies that bring clean, affordable power to our
energy grid.”
Do Your ThingTM Campaign
Do Your ThingTM is a behavior change initiative that
will come to life through mass media, social media engagement, community
groups and grassroots efforts across the state. It will create awareness
and educate California residents and small businesses to take simple
actions that ultimately result in sustained behavior change. These
actions could include:
-
Unplugging home electronics when turned off (average household
savings: $100 annually) - Upgrading to LED light bulbs (average household savings: $70 annually)
-
Using high-energy devices (dishwashers, air conditioners, washing
machines) at low-cost times to save money and cut the user’s carbon
footprint.
“Do Your Thing taps into the pride, diversity and power that each
California resident and small business has to create a big change for
our state through smart energy use,” said California Public Utilities
Commissioner Carla Peterman. “Although we lead the nation in efficiency,
we must do more to reach our aggressive goals. That’s why we’re working
to empower every Californian with the tools and information to become
energy stewards through more efficient energy choices.”
Energy Upgrade California’s Do Your ThingTM campaign
is inspired by the landmark “Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of
2015” and managed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
to showcase the state’s leadership and innovation in energy efficiency.
The legislation aims to achieve the following by 2030:
-
Double statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural
gas uses -
Derive 50 percent of the state’s electricity needs from renewable
energy sources
The multi-language (English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese) Do
Your ThingTM message will engage Californians through
print, radio, TV, billboards, social media, a website
and community events.
“California’s environmental and energy efficiency policies already set
the standard in the U.S. and around the world,” said California Energy
Commissioner Andrew McAllister. “But through simple energy-saving
actions that become daily habits, we can make an even larger impact here
while influencing other states and nations to follow our lead.”
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Californians’
electricity consumption has been flat during the past 40 years, while
the other 49 states increased their average per capita energy use by
more than 50 percent. California also produces twice as much economic
output for every kilowatt-hour consumed compared to the rest of the
country.
The National Resources Defense Council estimates that California’s
increased energy efficiency has eliminated more than 30 million metric
tons of Co2 pollution, equal to the annual emissions of 6
million cars. The state also has created hundreds of thousands of
efficiency jobs.
About Energy Upgrade California
Created by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2011
and funded through the landmark “Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction
Act of 2015,” Energy Upgrade California is a statewide marketing,
education, and outreach (ME&O) initiative to promote energy management
concepts, energy efficiency actions, and clean energy opportunities for
the state’s residents and businesses.
About the California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC regulates privately owned electric, natural gas,
telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger
transportation companies. The CPUC serves the public interest by
protecting consumers and ensuring the provision of safe, reliable
utility service and infrastructure at just and reasonable rates, with a
commitment to environmental enhancement and a healthy California economy.
Contacts
On Behalf of Energy Upgrade California
Alexa Karkar, 916-492-5313
Alexa.karkar@fleishman.com
