Nevada Launches Outreach Campaign

Nevada Launches Outreach Campaign

The state of Nevada has entered into a $150,000, one-year contract with a Raleigh, N.C., marketing firm to increase public awareness of the state's low-income energy assistance programs. The marketing firm is expected to start a broadcast and print advertising campaign, public-service announcement program and related efforts in Southern Nevada next week.

The need for the outreach became evident upon the announcement last week of a 17 percent gas rate hike from the state's largest natural gas company. The increase would be especially hard on low-income seniors, representatives from senior groups stated.

Nevada's Energy Assistance Program operates with federal funding from LIHEAP and state funds from a Universal Energy Charge, assessed on customers of regulate electric and gas utilities and distributed through the Nevada Fund for Energy Assistance and Conservation. About $11 million is available this year from both programs, but programs are under-enrolled because the state has been unable to reach eligible households, according to Linda Mercer, energy assistance program director. She said only about 10 percent of those eligible for state funds have applied.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal

Page Last Updated: March 24, 2008