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Notes from NESEA Network's Legislative Training

Led by John Friede, the legislative training covered the following topics:

• Inside vs. outside lobbying
• The important role of renewable energy advocates and business owners in public policy
• Strategic targeting of legislators
• Helpful tips, protocol for meetings, and the importance of listening well.
• Framing the discussion in terms of the benefits associated with renewable energy, such as healthy communities, job creation, economic development and energy independence.
• The need to get specific commitments of support from the official.
• And of course, follow-up

Inside Lobbying & Outside Lobbying

Effective lobbying and legislative advocacy requires a coordination of two very different kinds of activities.

"Inside" Lobbying:

• Meetings with elected officials and legislative staff
• Providing analysis and information to committees and legislative offices
• Testifying in committee
• Negotiating with policy makers and other lobby groups

For the most part this type of lobbying is carried out by, or in coordination with advocates who work on a regular basis in the state capital.

"Outside" Lobbying
This is aimed at shifting the politics and pressure around the issue.

• Media activity including news conferences, editorial board visits, and assisting reporters with stories
• Building broad and diverse coalitions
• Letter writing campaigns to legislators
• Call-in to local radio
• Grassroots activities such as rallies, educational film and cultural events

For the most part this type of lobbying is carried out by, or in coordination with advocates who work on a regular basis in the state capital.

The recent NESEA Network conference call took a closer look at some "inside" lobbying issues. There was some discussion about how to coordinate efforts with like-minded advocates and colleagues in the state capital.

After some discussion it was clarified that every citizen has a right to seek a meeting with their legislator, councilperson, or other elected representative.  

In addition, practioners and business owners in the renewable energy field have an important role to play in educating public officials about the issues and concerns they deal with.    

One way is to contact individuals who are directly involved or their Boards -- requests from citizens and business owners carry weight.

Strategic Targeting of Legislators

Lobbying legislators is about persuading them to do what you want.  There are five main categories of legislators to think about, each requiring its own special strategy:

Champions
All issues need a group of lawmakers dedicated to being tireless, committed advocates for your cause.  What they can do for you is make the case to their colleagues, help develop a strong "inside" strategy, and be visible public spokespeople.  What they need is good information, and visible support outside the Capitol.
Allies
Another group of legislators will be on your side but can be pushed to do more - to speak up in party caucuses or on the floor.
Fence Sitters
Some legislators will be uncommitted on the issues, potentially able to vote either way. These are your key targets and lobbying strategy is about putting together the right mix of "inside" persuasion and "outside" pressure to sway them your way.
Mellow Opponents
Another group of legislators will be clear votes against you, but who are not inclined to be active on the issue. With this group what's key is to keep them from becoming more active, lobbying them enough to give them pause but not to make them angry.
Hard Core Opponents
Finally, there are those lawmakers who are leading your opposition.  What is important here is to isolate them, to highlight the extremes of their positions, rhetoric and alliances and to give other lawmakers pause about joining them.

In terms of setting office meetings and visits with elected officials, here are some tips you may find useful:

• Keep your group small (4-5 people)
  
• Try to arrange the visit on your turf - invite the person to tour your business or a green building which conveys your message in real and human terms.
• Review  your goals & objectives for the meeting. Are you trying to secure a commitment to vote for your issue? Leadership on an issue?  Or you may decide the meeting is simply informational or relationship-building.

In terms of protocol for meetings or visits.

• Listen well.

Much of lobbying is listening, looking for indications of the elected official's views, and finding opportunities to provide good information.

If you are meeting with a "silent type," draw him/her out by asking questions.

If you are confronted with a "long-winded type," look for openings to bring him/her back to the point.

The Meeting

1.) The first thing to do is let the legislator (or their staff person) know why you are there -  establish your agenda and goals.

• You are a constituent and possibly a businessperson in the renewable energy field in YOUR state.
• Identify the subject to be discussed.  Don't overload with issues - stick to no more than two or three.
• You've come to talk to them about legislation that is important to you. You may have some comments to share about the benefits of a particular bill.
• Review with the official the benefits associated with renewable energy and green building such as healthy communities, job creation, economic development and energy independence.

2.) Thank them for any support that they've given in the past, if they co-sponsored the bills, or if they testified at any hearings.

3.) Be prepared, but don't feel that you have to be an expert
Most elected officials are generalists, like many of us. Do your homework, but don't feel that you need to know every little detail of an issue.

Know when to admit "I don't know," and offer to follow up with the information.

It is okay to air personal feelings and experiences where appropriate. Tell your personal story.  

• If you have a personal connection to this - if you are a renewable energy practioner/businessperson, employer, etc, share that story.
• If you are a citizen paying oil and gas bills or have a personal story about savings through energy efficiency share that story.
• Or, if you have a personal or family struggle with an illness such as asthma, etc. share your story.
• Relate the concerns of your friends and members of the community and of business colleagues and fellow employers.

4.) Be open to counter-arguments, but don't get stuck on them. Don't be argumentative or confrontational. Don't stay too long.

5.) In the end, try to get closure on your issue. You must try to get specific commitments of support from the official. Often there is more than one bill involved. Make sure you ask them to do specific things and request a response! If you hear what you had hoped for, express your thanks and leave. If you reach an impasse, thank him/her, even if disappointed.  Leave the room to continue the discussion at another time.  Remember that you are there to build a relationship.

And again, if the elected official is good on an issue you've been involved in or has supported your position in the past, be sure to acknowledge your appreciation during the course of the visit.

If the official has not been supportive in the past and your expectations are low, think of the phrase, "no permanent friends, no permanent enemies."  Some day, on some issue of importance to you, she/he may come through.  In the meantime, your visit may prevent the official from being an active opponent.  In other words, you may help to turn down the heat on the other side.

6.) Follow up with thank you letter.  Include any promised items mentioned during meeting. If commitments were made in the meeting, repeat your understanding of them.

States in the Northeast are considering ways to assist customers with high energy bills this winter.  Phone calls or emails encouraging the state legislature to fund expanded energy efficiency programs for natural gas and oil customers would be extremely helpful.

Now is an extremely opportune time for practitioners in the renewable energy field to share their expertise and experiences to support good legislation.