Presented by Sam Spofforth, Phillip Wiedmeyer and Ken Brown with Transportation Energy Partners February 28, 2012

1. Strategies for Effectively Educating
Policy Makers About Clean
Transportation Policies and Programs

2. Sam Spofforth
Executive Director, Clean Fuels Ohio
President, Transportation Energy Partners
Phillip Wiedmeyer
Chairman, Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition
Vice President, Transportation Energy Partners
Ken Brown
Government Affairs Consultant
Transportation Energy Partners

3. 

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Umbrella organization for the nation’s nearly
90 Clean Cities Coalitions and our
stakeholders
Keep coalitions and stakeholders informed of
key federal policies and programs.
Educate decision makers about importance
of advancing markets for clean vehicles and
fuels.

4. Featuring
Keynote Speakers
Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy
(Invited)
Nancy Sutley
Chair, Council on Environmental Quality
White House
Dr. Daniel Sperling
Director, Institute of Transportation
Studies
University of California Davis
Learn more at
www.transportationenergypartners.org
You can also follow us on Twitter: @TEPartners
Register for the Summit, taking place at
Renaissance Arlington Capital View in
Arlington, Virginia online .
For more information regarding the Summit
contact: Ken Brown , 202.674.7777 or
kenbrown318@gmail.com or
Charles Small , 202.549.0998 or
charles.small@gmail.com

5. How to build your organizations presence with elected officials

6. 
Builds Your Organization: Increased
visibility, more members, more funding.

Advances your Policies: helps you educate
policymakers and influence the debate.

Builds Long-term Relationships: Advocacy
promotes your organization in an effective
manner with key policymakers.

7. 
Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
All Politics is Local
Know What You Want and Ask for it: Tell elected
officials what you need them to work on.
 Follow up and Follow Through: Provide
information and maintain relationships.



8. Relationships are the currency of policymaking
in Washington D.C. and across the country.
 Identify ways you can help elected officials.

 Be a good source of ideas & information.
 Provide opportunities for visibility & media coverage.
 Introduce them to key constituencies and community
leaders.

Build relationships with local, state, & national
offices.

9. 
Be Clear and Concise
 Have a specific ask. Elected officials and their
staffs want to know specifically how they can
help.
 Give no more than 3 specific items you want
them to work on.

Be prepared to answer their questions.

10. 
Educate officials about the value & benefits
of clean transportation policies for your area.
 Provide facts & figures on how clean vehicles &
fuels are creating jobs and benefitting the local
area.
 Provide examples of local projects and programs
in action.

Demonstrate broad-based and bi-partisan
support for your issue.

11. 



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If you don’t know, find the answer and get
back to them.
Send handwritten thank you notes.
Stay in Touch: send reports, newsletters, and
regular updates to staff.
Invite elected officials to local events.
Indentify opportunities for media coverage.

12. What is going on in Washington D.C. ?

13. 


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Rising Gas Prices
Transportation Bill
Job Creation
Expiration of Clean Vehicle
Tax Incentives
Election Year Politics

14. 



Transportation Bill : Congress needs to pass
a Federal Transportation Bill by the end of
March.
Budget Debate: FY 2013 budget discussions
begin this month.
Tax Reform: Will Congress extend tax
incentives?
Election Year Politics: How do House/Senate
Election Dynamics play into legislative
activity?

15. 
Extend Tax Incentives for Alternative Fuels,
Vehicles and Infrastructure.

Maintain Federal Funding in FY 2013 for Key
Alternative Fuels Programs.

Reauthorize the federal surface
transportation law.

16. 



700,000 alternative energy vehicles in the
U.S.
7,000 alternative refueling stations
Natural Gas supports over 2.8 million jobs
Biodiesel has created 31,000 jobs

17. What you need to do get ready to meet with Federal Policy Makers

18. Call the Washington D.C. Office and get the email
address and name of the Member’s scheduler.
 Leave 2-3 weeks time to setup a meeting. Follow up
after five business days.
 If there is no response from the office, try using the
local office to schedule a meeting.
 If the Member of Congress is unavailable the office
will connect you with the appropriate staff person.


19. 
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Prepare a “1-Pager” with background on your
organization and policy you are advocating for.
Use examples of local projects in action.
Visual displays are extremely helpful.
Business Cards, Pen, Paper.
Phones on vibrate or silent.
Travel light.

20. 
Be Brief: Expect your meeting to last from 15-30
minutes. Keep your presentation short and leave
plenty of time for questions.

Consider the office: Know the elected official’s
committees and background and tailor your pitch.

21. Be Factual: Make sure you are well versed in the
most up-to-date facts about your organization and
pertinent issues. Don’t be afraid to bring a cheat
sheet if you need to be precise.
 Know the Opposition: There are Pros & Cons to
every debate.
 Be Respectful: Even if they disagree, you should
respect their views. There will be future
opportunities to work together.


22. For more information regarding the Summit
contact: Ken Brown , 202.674.777 or
kenbrown318@gmail.com or
 Charles Small , 202.549.0998 or
charles.small@gmail.com


23. Featuring
Keynote Speakers
Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy
(Invited)
Nancy Sutley
Chair, Council on Environmental Quality
White House
Dr. Daniel Sperling
Director, Institute of Transportation
Studies
University of California Davis
Learn more at
www.transportationenergypartners.org
You can also follow us on Twitter: @TEPartners
Register for the Summit, taking place at
Renaissance Arlington Capital View in
Arlington, Virginia online .
For more information regarding the Summit
contact: Ken Brown , 202.674.7777 or
kenbrown318@gmail.com
Charles Small , 202.549.0998 or
charles.small@gmail.com