Fossil Energy's Outreach Program Recognized with Excellence Award

Washington, D.C. - The Office of Fossil Energy was recently recognized by the American Coal Council for its outreach efforts in educating the general public about coal and its place in the nation's energy supply.  

Fossil Energy's Office of Communications received the 2007 Excellence in Development of Public Information: Print, Electronic or Broadcast Media Award, at the Council's Spring Coal Forum in Miami, Fla. 

Fossil Energy has developed an integrated, multi-faceted strategic outreach program to educate the non-traditional energy audience - for example, the average taxpayer, the retiree, the homeowner who pays the electric bill, the student in search of reliable information - on the benefits of keeping coal in the energy mix, as well as advances in clean coal technologies that benefit them in an effort to show Americans how their taxpayer's investments have been turned into high-tech advances that touch their lives daily.   

The award was based on: 

• Fossil Energy Web Site: An important tool in reaching out to the average American, the site is regularly updated with the latest Techlines (news releases) so that visitors can always find the most current news on clean coal technology research and development. The site also contains informative, easy-to-understand descriptions, as well as links to videos, images, and related Web sites.
  
• News Alerts: Along with posting Techlines on the Web site, Fossil Energy also sends out a News Alert e-mail to key members of the media and stakeholders, alerting them to the release of new information. The stakeholders list, which contains more than 6,000 names, is kept current, with new names being added frequently. The FE website also allows interested members of the general public to sign up for News Alerts. > Sign up here
  
• Exhibit: Fossil Energy recently developed an exhibit that is sent across the nation to various conventions and meetings, including the annual meetings of the AARP and the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). Fossil Energy tries to attend conventions with large audiences (for example, the RTNDA convention had more than 100,000 attendees), in order to broaden the reach and impact of the outreach program. While having a new exhibit with colorful graphics helps draw people to the booth, the interaction between staff and consumers allows for greater dialogue on clean coal technologies and how they will help ensure our energy security and environmental wellbeing.
  
• Educational Packets: Fossil Energy has launched an educational program aimed at increasing student's knowledge of fossil energy, particularly the role coal plays. Starting with the youngest, educational packets for elementary-aged children were developed, teaching them about where coal comes from, how we use it and how we're working to make it cleaner for the environment. Packets for middle and high school students have recently been completed and all materials will soon be available for download from the Fossil Energy website. > Link to FE Educational Activities web page
  
• Informational Packets: To provide consumers with more detailed information on the department and its research, Fossil Energy created several informational packets that are included onsite at any conference where the exhibit is used. A general packet includes background information on the programs that make up the Office of Fossil Energy. Brochures and write-ups on recent research and how this impacts the lives of everyday consumers are also included. A new information packet on Carbon Sequestration is also available. This packet describes what carbon sequestration means, how it works and how it will impact the environment.

Judging for the award was based on how well the submission presented accurate information and helped to advance the message that coal is an abundant, economic and environmentally sound fuel source. 

The American Coal Council created the Excellence Awards Program to recognize corporations, associations, government and educational departments, as well as individuals within the coal industry who have helped improve community understanding of coal and the energy industry.

The American Coal Council is an alliance of international and domestic coal producers, suppliers, consumers, transporters, traders, port and terminal support service companies.  It serves as a resource by disseminating ideas and information regarding the American coal industry.

- End of Techline

For more information, contact: Mike Jacobs, FE Office of Communications, 202-586-0507