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Energy Independence Days
March 8-9, 2005
Energy Independence Days Schedule
A Funding Workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 8, from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. The workshop, hosted by National Clean Cities, Inc. will review the current funding opportunities available to our Chapters and members, as well as Clean Cities Coalitions. Additionally, we will review the federal appropriations process, explain how Congressional offices work, what to expect in your meetings, and provide an overview of issues to discuss with your member of Congress. (See agenda.)
Join fellow National Clean Cities, Inc. members and Clean Cities Coordinators at what promises to be one of our most important Hill Blitz events yet on Wednesday, March 9, 2005. Held as part of the National Clean Cities, Inc. Energy Independence Days Events, your participation is needed to support the issues affecting the growth of alternative fuels. RSVP Your Participation.
Breakfast Meeting at ROA March 9 at 9:00 AM
We will meet on March 9 in the Library room of the Reserve Officers Association (ROA) for a continental breakfast. We will then be able to use the room as our staging area until Noon. The ROA is conveniently located behind the Capitol and provides an excellent meeting place. (Please see location map.)
This Hill Blitz is geared towards all members of National Clean Cities, Inc., Clean Cities Coordinators and others interested in the increased use of alternative fuels! It’s easy, fun, and most importantly, effective! COME AND MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT!
How to Schedule a Meeting
The following is information on how to go about making appointments, tips, and the Hill Blitz schedule. We are targeting members of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittees:
What to Bring to Your Meeting
Before you arrive in Washington, please print sufficent quantities of the following documents and use them for your visit. (Once again, we will have complimentary copies of the new Congressional Directory.)
- Our 2005 Message (use as a leave-behind document)
- Talking Points (for your own use)
Additionally, please be sure to bring your business card and information on your Coalition or company. If you do not have a company brochure outlining this information, please type the information on your company letterhead. Our experience shows that providing legislators with this information will help them remember your visit and the issues that were discussed.
Scheduling Meetings with Members of Congress
- Locate your Senators’ and Representative’s contact information by logging on to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and entering your voting address zip code. Each legislator’s resulting link will provide you with their D.C. phone and fax number,the name of their scheduler, and other key aides.
- You can contact your Senator or Representative three different ways.
- The preferred method is to contact your Senator or Representative by calling the D.C. phone number. Ask to speak to the Scheduling Office or the Scheduler. Always identify yourself as a resident of their state or district.
- Write email to scheduler (see example below) – copy other key aides – request meeting with member of congress and/or one/both aides for March 9.
- You can fax your meeting request.
Sample Fax/Email Requesting a Meeting
Include the following information in your fax/email request for a meeting.
- Name and short description of organization
- Policies/topics that you want to discuss in the meeting – include Clean Cities appropriation request and specific examples of projects that have been or could be funded in their district. You may want to discuss other local priorities or the energy or transportation bill, but the Clean Cities appropriations is the top priority.
- Day/time when you will be in town and are available
- Tell them when you will call to follow up.
- Your name and contact information
Dear Mr. Scheduler,
My name is Greg Zilberfarb and I am in Congressman Allen’s district. I am the Executive Director of National Clean Cities, Inc.
National Clean Cities, Inc. represents a broad array of public and private partners working to reduce our nation’s dependence on imported petroleum. Our mission is to support coalitions working at the local and state level to develop projects to increase use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, natural gas and propane, as well as efficient vehicles and energy-saving transportation technologies.
Our members have a valued alliance with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, which provides strategic focus, technical assistance and modest grant support. The Clean Cities program has grown to over 80 coalitions. With minimal federal support, these Clean Cities coalitions leverage tens of millions of dollars each year in projects to increase our nation’s energy independence, strengthen our economy and improve air quality. Clean Cities is one of those rare federal programs that enjoys strong grassroots support while being able to document continually improving results – even while budget allocations have remained flat. In fact, this year the initial appropriations request to Congress is only for $6.5M!
I would like your support for an increase in funding for the Clean Cities Program.
I will be traveling to Washington, DC on March 9 and would be available any time between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM to meet with you to discuss this further, as well as show you how previous year’s funding from the Clean Cities Program has benefited your constituents.
I will call you tomorrow to follow up.
Sincerely,
Greg Zilberfarb
Executive Director
National Clean Cities, Inc.
7-B Loudoun Street, S.W.
Suite 120
Leesburg, VA 20175
Tips on Scheduling a Meeting
- Try to schedule appointments with legislators between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on March 9.
- If your Senator or Representative is unavailable on March 9, ask to meet with a legislative staff member. Be sure the staff member is one that is familiar with energy issues – in other words, you don’t want to meet with the staffer that handles foreign affairs!
- The more people attending a meeting, the greater the likelihood that you will meet with the member of Congress in person. At the time of your call and fax you may not have an exact count of how many people will be attending the meeting, but you should have a good idea. Simply give the scheduler an “estimate” and make a follow-up call prior to the meetings with an accurate count. They will be able to accommodate these adjustments.
- Once you have an appointment made, please forward that information to the Greg Zilberfarb. It is VERY important that the NCC, Inc. receive confirmation of all appointments, as it will help us track which legislators are meeting with our members, which legislators will need to be pursued, and further assist Coaltions in coordinating meeting scheduling. Please forward that information to Greg Zilberfarb, Executive Director, by faxing to 703-779-4891 or emailing to [email protected] If you do not hear back from the Scheduler within 2 days of placing your meeting request, please follow up with a phone call to confirm. Some offices take longer than others; however, it is possible they may have misplaced your request.
- Confirm the appointment with the scheduler a few days prior to your visit. Calling the morning of your appointment is also advised, as schedules change at a moment’s notice while Congress is in session.
- If you are unsure of your Senator and Representative, please visit the website https://www.congress.gov, which allows you to enter your zip code and obtain information on your Senator and Representative.
- To assist you in scheduling meetings, please be aware that the Senate and House offices are located on opposite sides of the Capitol. Therefore, be sure to allow at least 15 minutes walking time between the offices. A map of Capitol Hill and the offices will be provided for you during the briefing session on Tuesday, April 19.Your goal is to reach as many legislators as possible with as large a voice as possible. Therefore, try to schedule meetings with both of your senators and your representative. If you conduct business in more than one Congressional District, you may wish to schedule meetings with the representatives for each of those districts, as well.
Transportation
This year, transportation is on your own. However, the Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel is conveniently located above the Washington D.C. subway system, called the Metro (https://www.wmata.com) . For about $2.70, round trip, you can take the Metro to Capitol Hill in minutes. Cabs are also plentiful, but please allow extra time for rush hour traffic and rerouting due to increased security. A cab from the Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel to Capitol Hill will cost about $6.00 one way. For those of you that enjoy a brisk walk, you can reach your destination in about 20-25 minutes.
A Word on Security
Capitol Hill office buildings are currently open to the public. If you have not visited Capitol Hill since 9/11 please be advised that the Capitol Hill police have taken many additional precautions to ensure security around the Capitol and all office buildings. A few tips:
- Much like going through airport security, you will have to pass through a metal detector and place all items on conveyor to be inspected through an x-ray machine. You will likely encounter small waits each time you wish to enter a building due to this process. Simply be courteous and efficient.
- If you encounter a long line (usually due to large numbers of school children) and you are concerned about making your appointment on time, you may send someone up to the front of the line to let them know that you have an appointment and the appointment time. Our experience has been that they will let you through expeditiously.
- Items prohibited in the Capitol include aerosol and non-aerosol sprays; cans and bottles; oversized suitcases; duffel bags and oversized backpacks; knives of any length; razors and box cutters; mace and pepper spray. It is imperative that you leave your luggage at the hotel.
If you have any questions, or if you require additional information, please contact Greg Zilberfarb. We look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C. and to a successful visit to Capitol Hill!
Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
The members are as follows:
- Senator Pete Domenici (Chairman) (NM)
- Senator Thad Cochran (MS)
- Senator Mitch McConnell (KY)
- Senator Robert Bennett (UT)
- Senator Conrad Burns (MT)
- Senator Larry Craig (ID)
- Senator Christopher Bond (MO)
- Senator Harry Reid (Ranking Member) (NV)
- Senator Robert C. Byrd (WV)
- Senator Ernest Hollings (SC)
- Senator Patty Murray (WA)
- Senator Byron Dorgan (ND)
- Senator Diane Feinstein (CA)
House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
The members are as follows:
- David L. Hobson, OH (R - Chairman)
- Peter J. Visclosky, IN (D - Ranking Member)
- Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, NJ (R)
- Chet Edwards, TX (D)
- Tom Latham, IA (R)
- Ed Pastor, AZ (D)
- Zach Wamp, TN (R)
- James E. Clyburn, SC (D)
- Jo Ann Emerson, MO (R)
- Marion Berry, AR (D)
- John Doolittle, CA (R - Vice Chair)
- Michael K. Simpson, ID (R)
- Dennis R. Rehberg, MT (R)
We Urge You to Contact Your Member of Congress and Ask Them to Send in the Following Letters!
Please download either the Senate letter or the House letter and send it to your Congressional representative. Ask them to sign it and send a copy to you when they do. After you receive the copy, please fax it Greg Zilberfarb, Executive Director of NCC, Inc. at 703-779-4891.
For more information
about membership, please contact us.
Thank you!
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