Referendum 52 – Healthy Schools for Washington – is in high gear in anticipation of a successful statewide vote in November. Referendum 52, NEEC’s highest legislative priority in the 2010 session, would provide $505 million in bond financed grants to public K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for energy efficiency retrofits. The campaign has retained an experienced campaign manager, Sheila Stickel, who has successfully managed previous statewide ballot issues. Sheila is being supported by communication and media consultants helping to develop and deliver the positive message of Healthy Schools for Washington. A campaign web site is up for viewing where visitors can learn more about how the provisions of Referendum 52 will work and the advantages it brings in improved indoor environmental quality for kids and teachers and the energy and cost reductions that accrue to schools districts and universities. Visit www.healthyschoolsforwa.org for more information.
The mood of Washington voters is difficult to predict in any year, but especially in 2010. To win, Referendum 52 will require a positive and expansive media campaign. Of course, that requires aggressive fundraising to build a campaign budget that can accomplish just that. Referendum 52 enjoys the strong support of schools, labor, and the environmental community and commitments to the campaign effort have been and will continue to come in. The energy efficiency business community will also need to do its part to make this a successful campaign. NEEC is sponsoring an industry forum on Thursday, August 12th at 10:00am at the Doubletree Airport Hotel (18740 International Boulevard in SeaTac) to hear directly from campaign staff about supporting the referendum. All industry leaders are encouraged to come and participate. For additional information on this event, call the NEEC office.