Linhart PR’s utility communications experts worked as part of a holistic team with utility business, legal, government relations and community affairs executives, campaign consultants and other advisors. Our team developed and drove a proactive communications strategy to build support for continuing the utility’s franchise.
Challenging the Takeover Narrative: We maximized community visibility for an independent consultant’s report showing that municipalization would result in higher electric bills, rather than lower bills as proponents claimed, and later pointed out fatal flaws in a city-sponsored feasibility study.
Offering a Better Alternative: : We helped the utility formulate and convey, to city officials and the community, a proposal addressing key community priorities, including investments in renewable energy and economic development, and more support for local non-profit organizations.
Winning Editorial Support: In partnership with utility business unit leaders and community affairs representatives, we changed the tone of editorial opinion in the local newspaper through careful planning and preparation for a series of editorial board meetings, along with development of hard-hitting op-ed pieces for utility executives and third-party advocates.
Learning from Other Communities: Our team identified current and former elected officials from another Western community considering municipalization, all one-time proponents who had turned against a government takeover; we brought their perspectives into the discussion through direct contact with local officials and through a key op-ed column counseling against municipalization.
