WASHINGTON, DC – Smart Energy public service announcements are available online for radio use nationwide. The public service announcements record Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham encouraging smart energy use and directing listeners to Energysavers.gov. The consumer-dedicated site contains information on energy-saving home improvements -- including points on landscaping, roofing, heating and cooling system maintenance and buying energy-efficient appliances.
“Conserving energy is not difficult, and it’s not expensive,” Abraham said. “Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends $1,300 a year on gas and electricity? And did you know a large portion of that energy is wasted? If everyone did just a few of the things on this list, it could make a major difference for the economy as well as for the family budget.”
Secretary Abraham called for Americans to conserve energy in their homes and businesses to help ease pressure on the nation’s supply of natural gas, the fuel that operates most new electricity-generating power plants.
“The demand for natural gas is growing faster than producers can get it out of the ground and ship it to consumers,” Abraham said. “If we have an unusually hot summer, there’s a chance that prices could increase dramatically because of tight supplies.”
The growing summer demand for natural gas, combined with heavy gas usage during this past winter’s unusually cold temperatures for much of the nation, has left storage levels well below normal for this time of year, according to Energy Department statistics.
The Smart Energy public service announcements are one part of the Smart Energy Campaign launched by Secretary Abraham on July 9 and tied to President Bush’s national energy strategy. The Smart Energy Campaign activities include:
- The Energysavers.gov website to educate consumers on specific steps they can take to conserve. DOE will be asking other government agencies to link to the Energysavers.gov website.
- A DOE letter sent to all 50 governors with recommended actions that states can take to improve the natural gas situation, including infrastructure improvements and joining the Smart Energy Campaign.
- A public awareness campaign. DOE will contact news outlets through the country encouraging them to publicize the Smart Energy Campaign and Energysavers.gov website, along with an opinion editorial on the campaign for publication.
DOE regional summits on energy use, that will begin in Atlanta, with other cities to be announced later this summer.
Media Contact(s):
Jana Toner, 202/586-4940
