State Bear Roaming California Promoting Energy Management

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Our beloved state bear is taking on another role for California, as he climbs down from his high-flying position on the state flag to spread the word about the importance of energy management.  Traveling across the state for the next two weeks, our state bear will share ways Californians can take steps to save money by using power more efficiently.  To support the bear's efforts, Energy Upgrade California^TM is launching a contest using social media to identify and report "Where the Bear" is spreading the word about energy management in California.

"The bear represents our state's strength, leadership, and the golden lifestyle we strive for in California. The bear is undertaking important work, and we are asking Californians to join in a campaign to discover his whereabouts and activities, and then join the bear in managing energy more effectively," said Regina Marston, Senior Manager for the California Center for Sustainable Energy, the entity appointed by California Public Utilities Commission to implement Energy Upgrade California, a statewide energy management initiative designed to help residents and small businesses learn the best ways to take action on their energy usage to save money and be more comfortable at home and at work.

Beginning this week, Californians can log on to http://energyupgradeca.org/en/wheresthebear to learn more about the "Where's the Bear" contest and the prizes available to those who help with the search.  Contest participants should also follow @energyupgradeca on Twitter and Instagram, and Energy Upgrade California on Facebook for the latest on the "Where's the Bear" search efforts.

"Rumor has it that the bear is recruiting people for something big, an effort that will help Californians manage their home energy use while making their homes more comfortable," said Marston. "We look forward to working with Californians on social media to find the bear and learn about his efforts to help communities meet California's energy efficiency and clean energy goals."

The search and contest run through May 19, 2014, with daily prizes and a grand prize awarded at the contest's close.

For more information, please visit http://energyupgradeca.org/en/wheresthebear.

Energy Upgrade California™ is a state initiative to help Californians take action to save energy and conserve natural resources, help reduce demand on the electricity grid, and make informed energy management choices at home and at work. It is supported by an alliance of the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, utilities, regional energy networks, local governments, businesses, and nonprofits to help communities meet state and local energy and climate action goals. Funding comes from investor-owned utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

SOURCE Energy Upgrade California