One Message, Two Organizations, Effective Outreach
By Steve Kaminski… I have been fortunate enough to lead the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) for almost a year now. I’ve learned a lot since October, both from the NPGA membership and our propane industry partners. When I joined NPGA, I was new to propane. But I was not new to Washington. And I knew one thing in Washington is true. You always need friends. NPGA is fortunate to have a strong friend and partner in the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). PERC is currently led by Tucker Perkins, president and CEO. NPGA’s efforts to advocate and PERC’s efforts to educate have combined to effectively define, to a broad audience, propane’s role in the low-carbon future. NPGA and PERC both employ data-based messaging…
By Steve Kaminski… I have been fortunate enough to lead the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) for almost a year now. I’ve learned a lot since October, both from the NPGA membership and our propane industry partners. When I joined NPGA, I was new to propane. But I was not new to Washington. And I knew one thing in Washington is true. You always need friends.
NPGA is fortunate to have a strong friend and partner in the
Propane Education & Research Council(PERC). PERC is currently led by Tucker Perkins, president and CEO. NPGA’s efforts to advocate and PERC’s efforts to educate have combined to effectively define, to a broad audience, propane’s role in the low-carbon future.
NPGA and PERC both employ data-based messaging to reach their different target audiences. The message offered is consistent—the necessity of maintaining energy choice. And the propane choice is one that is cost-effective, clean, and versatile. But there the organizations branch out. NPGA proactively targets policy makers at the national, state, and local level that are considering bans on the use of propane. And PERC targets the propane consumer base to raise awareness about the use of propane and its environmental benefits.
PERC and NPGA’s coordinated efforts are effective in other areas, too. Congressional appropriation of $9 million dollars to be disseminated by the Department of Energy (DOE) for propane engine technology and other propane-related projects provides a great example of those efforts. While propane technologies easily fit with DOE’s goals to support efforts to improve energy efficiency and fuel economy, the multi-industry competition for appropriated dollars is intense.
The research dollars are highly sought after by a variety of alternative fuel industries. To strengthen the legislative request for appropriated research dollars, PERC developed a comprehensive technical package on the environmental benefits of propane. The technical package provided a critical piece to NPGA’s legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill. Similar to the data-based messaging, advocacy requires technical backing and the concerted efforts of both groups made a difference in the successful appropriation of funds.
Together NPGA and PERC amplify the work of one another. Sharing the same ultimate goal of ensuring propane is a fuel of the future provides a framework for our current and future work together.
Steve Kaminski is president and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA).
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