PTI Local Government Energy Assurance Guidelines - Metropolitan ...

media in their effort to respond to energy emergencies. With a few notable exceptions (e.g. Chicago, Philadelphia,
New York, or other cities located near ports, nuclear reactors, refineries, and other major energy infrastructure),
communication with key energy industry representatives generally has received less emphasis from local
governments. Local planners may want to consider being more inclusive of these other stakeholders in developing
and implementing communication and outreach protocols as part of their EAPs.
Adding the electric, natural gas, petroleum, and other major energy industries to the communications network before,
during, and after an energy emergency is good business. It is important that both the message and response efforts be
coordinated with these stakeholders.
Dissemination of Accurate Information
The media can play a helpful role in assisting local governments prior to an energy emergency by disseminating
information about preparedness and response ahead of time. The key to preventing panic during an energy
emergency is to disseminate accurate information as quickly as possible to the general public, and to any other
potentially affected entities, using the media where appropriate. This information dissemination will involve many
topics, including:
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Public assistance programs where the general public may obtain needed resources
The scope, severity, and potential duration of the energy disruption
Regional and State energy resource-specific contingency plans
Use of Social Media/Web-Based Communication
Posting energy-related information on the local government website during a crisis is not only an important part of
communicating with the media and the public, but also can establish a valuable link to other local, State, and Federal
government departments, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and associations that are affected
by or involved in the management of the energy crisis. The energy assurance coordinator may want to establish
relationship with the local government webmaster and public information officer (or equivalent personnel) to
establish the types of web materials that will be required, and desired in a future energy emergency. Obviously, this
means of communication will only be viable if electricity is still operational and the Web is accessible. The important
point here is that jurisdictions need to plan for and enable all forms and means of communication prior to an event
so that if/when one communication mode is rendered inoperable there remain other viable, backup communications
systems.
Most local governments are using social media such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, albeit primarily as
marketing channels for their communities. It is very common to find these social media sites listed on city and
county homepages. These same sites can be useful channels for sending out current and accurate information during
an energy emergency. Texting is an increasingly important form of communication across many age groups, and as
such needs to be considered a key part of an EAP communication strategy. When an emergency occurs, the public
may communicate via texting, email, and other just-in-time communications options. Local planners should be wellversed
in these and social media sites as well such as Facebook and Twitter. These media provide an inexpensive,
effective way to reach many people quickly. These same methods can also be used for service restoration activities;
local governments can develop free mass text notification services and e-alerts for emergency situations and events,
to which constituents can subscribe to receive status updates.
64 | 3 – How to Develop or Enhance a Local Energy Assurance Plan