(a) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall, in coordination with the Energy Conservation Management Board, established pursuant to section 16-245m, establish a state-wide energy efficiency and outreach marketing campaign that shall provide targeted information for each of the following sectors: (1) Commercial, including small businesses, (2) industrial, (3) governmental, (4) institutional, including schools, hospitals and nonprofits, (5) agricultural, and (6) residential.

(b) The goals of the campaign established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall include, but not be limited to, educating electric consumers regarding (1) the benefits of pursuing strategies that increase energy efficiency, including information on the Connecticut electric efficiency partner program established pursuant to section 16a-46e and combined heat and power technologies, (2) the real-time energy reports developed pursuant to section 16a-47b and the real-time energy electronic mail and cellular phone alert system developed pursuant to section 16a-47d, and (3) the option of choosing a participating electric supplier, as defined in subsection (i) of section 16-244c.

(c) On or before December 1, 2007, the authority shall develop and approve a plan that meets the goals of said campaign pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. Said plan shall include a coordinated range of marketing activities and outreach strategies, including, but not limited to, inserts in customers' utility bills; television, radio and newspaper advertisements; printed educational materials; events; a comprehensive web site resource serving all sectors; an electronic newsletter; planning forums and meetings throughout the state; and partnerships with businesses, government entities and nonprofit organizations. Said utility bill inserts shall include, but not be limited to, information that can assist consumers in evaluating options regarding energy efficiency. Said web site shall be maintained and updated regularly and shall include, but not be limited to, current rate and contact information for participating electric suppliers. Such current rate information shall be on said web site with date and time of update displayed prominently. The authority shall begin the implementation of said plan on or before March 1, 2008.

(d) The authority may retain the services of third-party entities to assist in the development and implementation of the state-wide energy efficiency and marketing campaign established pursuant to this section.

(P.A. 07-242, S. 87; P.A. 10-32, S. 57; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 13-5, S. 48.)

History: P.A. 07-242 effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 10-32 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute reference to Sec. 16a-47b for reference to Sec. 16a-47d, and reference to Sec. 16a-47d for “section 61 of public act 07-242”, add “electronic mail and cellular phone” re alert system, and make technical changes, effective May 10, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Public Utility Control” and “department” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Public Utilities Regulatory Authority” and “authority”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-5 amended Subsec. (b)(3) to replace reference to Sec. 16-244c(k) with reference to Sec. 16-244c(i), effective May 8, 2013.