SITUATION: The Clean and Safe Energy Coalition (CASE) is a national grassroots coalition that unites unlikely allies across the business, environmental, academic, consumer and labor community to support nuclear energy. The coalition promotes nuclear energy as a way to combat global climate change, improve energy security, ensure clean air quality and enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of all Americans. In February 2008, CASE sought the services of Balsera Communications (BC) to educate Hispanic lawmakers, the media and residents throughout Florida on the benefits of nuclear energy. To accomplish this, BC was asked to enlist the support of Hispanic lawmakers and organizations in the CASE coalition as well as to schedule and host visits to Miami by both of the national co-chairs.

STRATEGY: BC prepared a two-tiered statewide action plan to accomplish CASE's goals in South Florida of the proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage, educate the constituents on the dangers of the cuts and motivate citizens to voice their concerns with their elected officials.

1. Reached out to prominent South Florida lawmakers and organizations, enlisting these organization’s support for the coalition goals and garnering earned media for CASE in Spanish-language media outlets
2. Organized and executed visits by National Co-Chairs Christine Todd Whitman (former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and New Jersey Governor) and Dr. Patrick Moore (Greenpeace Co-Founder) to Miami for meetings with elected officials and environmental groups

RESULTS:

1. Ms. Whitman's visit resulted in meetings with editorial boards, op-ed placement in local newspapers and a meeting with members of the South Florida environmental community
2. The outreach efforts led to the support of prominent elected officials throughout Miami-Dade County. BC also enlisted the support of the Hialeah Chamber of Commerce and the Americas Community Center.

   Dr. Patrick Moore's visit included media interviews and meetings with local environmental groups, community activists, Miami Dade Commissioners and local mayors and state representatives as well as executives from Florida Power and Light