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info@saveourgrid.org | 1-877-349-4743
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Take Action in 10 Minutes
Save Our Grid is working to educate regular citizens and decision makers about the fragility of our electrical infrastructure. Most folks have no idea where their electricity comes from, only that a flip of the switch illuminates them. With the increasing electrification demands made on our already overburdened grid, it is a certainty that we'll start seeing failures unless action is taken now to harden the grid against all hazards - natural and man-made. Utility companies are diversifying their energy portfolio to increase green sources and electric cars will soon be the norm - how can the grid handle the increased load?
Fortunately, we're here to help! By highlighting the problem and offering common sense, invitational solutions, Save Our Grid is having an impact on the industry.
We've added a couple of sample letters to help you get the conversation started - whether it's with your local officials, emergency managers, public utility commissions, or utility companies. But, no one wants to receive a form email, so we encourage you to use your unique voice and tell the reader why and how you'd be affected in a grid down event. Maybe you or a family member has a medical issue that would be aggravated, maybe you live in a rural location - whatever the personal message is, here's your chance to make it count! Contact your utility will be found on your utility bill or on their website. If you have questions or want MORE HELP, please email or call us….we’re ready to assist!
We don't want more mandatory legislation. We feel that an invitational approach to grid hardening and security is the solution. We're advocating for low cost, free market, practical solutions and although we welcome federal advocates, the bottom line is that our army of grid warriors (YOU!) are the ones who are going to get the job done.
WE NEED YOUR VOICE!
This is such an important issue and if you can take just 10 minutes to take action, we'll start to see some concrete results.
Here are some of the ways you can have your voice heard:
- Write - letter or email, a written request draws attention to this issue
- Testify - even more persuasive is in-person advocacy. Decision-makers can see your passion and have a chance to ask questions. Your personal story is hugely impactful and hard to ignore.
Who should you contact?
- Elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.
- Utilities - Look on your utility bill to see who provides electric, water and sewage in your area.
- Emergency Managers - Usually listed under Public Works page for your city or county.
- Public Utility Commission.
Help Save Our Grid continue to educate everyone about the most important issue in our history.
One of the main reasons this is so critical is because there are common-sense, cost-effective solutions that can be completed NOW. Coupled with practical preparation, we can dramatically reduce the probability of a long-term power outage and the resulting loss of life.
Tips for Testifying Before A Committee
Committee Protocol
The purpose of a committee hearing is to gather information so that the committee can make an informed recommendation on a given bill or resolution. Public input is an important part of this process. As elected officials, committee members appreciate hearing the perspective of citizens and organizations on issues.
Preparing to Testify
When preparing your testimony, plan to present in less than five minutes (usually the max is 2 or 3 minutes-be sure to check the testifying time limit in your state) and be prepared to summarize the main points in one minute. If you have a personal experience related to the legislation, your story can provide valuable information for the legislators. It is a good idea to bring a copy of the bill with you to the hearing, and strongly recommend that you bring copies of your written testimony for the committee members, bills sponsors, and staff. If you are not sure how many copies to bring, 15 copies will be sufficient.
Signing in
Hearings usually start on time, but it is best to arrive 30 minutes early, especially for committees that meet Upon Adjournment. In order to testify, it is important that you sign in at the beginning of the hearing or as soon as possible (and in many cases you can sign up in advance online). Each bill on the agenda will have a sign-in sheet that is located on or near the committee table. Fill out all of the information including whether you are in support of the bill, against the bill, or neutral. If you are not representing an organization, write that you are representing yourself. If you have any questions, please ask a member of the Legislative Council Staff, who wear name badges. If you have handouts or copies of your testimony for the committee, give these to staff at the beginning of the hearing or before you speak.
Testifying (In-Person OR Remote)
The order of bills to be heard is usually posted outside the door of each committee that is meeting and typically you can even keep track online by listening in live as to what bill the committee is currently hearing about. The chair will announce each bill, after which the bill's sponsor will address the committee. The chair may then ask for testimony from proponents and opponents. Hearings are conducted using formal parliamentary procedure. You may find the following recommendations to be helpful.
It helps to write out your testimony so that you have something to refer to or read the main points from.
- Begin your presentation by stating, "Mr. or Madam Chair ___, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to present to you today. My name is ____,representing ___, and I am here to support/oppose this bill because . . ."
- Be brief and avoid repeating what other witnesses have said. Try to focus on points that have not been mentioned.
- At the end of your testimony, thank the committee members and offer to answer any questions.
- If a member asks a question, wait for the chair to prompt you, then state your name followed by, "Chair ___, Senator/Representative ____, the answer to your question is. . ." If you do not know the answer, it is always okay to say that you do not know. If you promise to follow-up, be sure to do so in a timely manner.
- Do not be offended if committee members come and go during a hearing. They have other commitments, including the presentation of bills in other committees that are meeting simultaneously.
- At a hearing with a large number of witnesses, there may not be time for everyone to testify.
- Cell phones and other electronic devices should be on a silent setting.
- Food and beverages are typically prohibited in the committee rooms.
- The chair has the discretion and authority to limit testimony, ask the sergeant-at-arms to remove a disruptive person from the committee, and clear the public from any hearing in the event of a disturbance which is disruptive to legislative proceedings.
If you wish to testify remotely and it is allowed, you might need to sign up through your General Assembly's registration website.
Bills available for remote testimony will be indicated on the registration website, as well as the House and Senate calendars. Depending on the state, in order for a remote testimony site to be available for testimony, at least one witness must be registered to testify at the site at least 24 hours before the hearing on the previous business day. Check the House or Senate webpages for the deadline for a remote testimony sign up. Committees will also have a webpage in your state and you can find when they meet there. Typically, If at least one witness is registered by the deadline, additional witnesses may continue to sign up on-line to testify remotely until the scheduled hearing time and may sign up at the remote testimony site until public testimony on the bill concludes. Please note that there is no guarantee that all witnesses, including remote witnesses, will be permitted to testify on a bill, or that remote witnesses will be able to testify at a specific time.
Registration Process
Your state may or may not have remote testimony and the following link will provide more information about how and where your voice can be heard! Check your state’s capital website for more specific rules and requirements.
- For EXAMPLE, Colorado’s General Assembly.
Remote Witness Decorum
Remote testimony witnesses will most likely automatically be muted when they enter a meeting. Legislative staff will unmute witnesses as they are recognized by the committee chair to speak. Witnesses who are connecting via video should ensure that they are testifying from a location that appears to be professional on camera. Chairs may end the testimony of witnesses engaged in inappropriate or distracting behavior and disconnect the witnesses from the committee hearing.
Committee Schedule and Schedule Changes
Committee schedules will normally be published in the House and Senate calendars on a daily basis. Bill hearings are often delayed or rescheduled and there is no guarantee the bill will be heard when originally scheduled. For committee changes that occur on the day of a committee hearing, please visit your General Assembly’s web pages.
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info@saveourgrid.org
1-877-FIX-GRID
1-877-349-4743