Understanding, Responding to, and Working with Environmental NGOs

Chris Tucker chris@energyindepth.org 202-346-8825 American Business Conferences Houston, TX November 1, 2011

Basic Background on Energy In Depth

Launched by IPAA in 2009 Based in Washington, D.C. Coalition of more than 30 state assns, independent and major O&G producers, service companies Full-scale communications effort focused on education, outreach specific to shale/HF Started as a website; now draws on a team of nearly 15 full-time staff across four states and DC

Not All NGOs are Created Equal

Two categories of environmental groups:
Ones oriented toward solutions Ones committed to an ideology

Solutions-Oriented (Most of the Time!)

 Others Driven by Ideological Attachment

What They Said Then

Natural gas is going to play a critical
role in our energy mix for the next two to three, if not four, decades.
- Bruce Nilles, Feb. 23, 2010

"Natural gas is an excellent example of a fuel that can be produced in quite a clean way. We see it as part of the energy transition to a post-fossil fuel economy." - Carl Pope, Sierra Club, Jan. 8, 2010

A revolution in natural gas production over the past two years has left America awash with natural gas and has made it possible to eliminate most of our dependence on deadly, destructive coal practically overnight [N]atural gas is an obvious bridge fuel to the new energy economy.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Financial Times, July 19, 2009

I personally am both convinced by the case for more abundant domestic supply than previously thought and I am convinced that this, fundamentally from both economic and environmental perspectives, is good news.
- Ralph Cavanaugh, NRDC, Feb. 15, 2011

 What They Say Now

National groups such as the Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council have backed natural gas as a so-called bridge fuel that can help the country move away from coal and oil without waiting for renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, to catch up.

[If] you live in New York, take additional action now to tell your state legislators that we must have a moratorium on any new gas production using controversial hydraulic fracturing.
- Kate Sinding, NRDC, June 21, 2010

Weve been able to stop [natural gas development] in New York State through very good grassroots organizing. We were able to really do something extraordinary, which is get a moratorium on drilling in New York State. Its a temporary moratorium, but I think with good grassroots organizing of the kind that we have in place, that we can make it permanent.
- Robert F. Kennedy, Feb. 13, 2011

What Changed? A Review of the Data

Source: Energy Information Administration

A Reorientation of Energy Markets

Source: Energy Information Administration

Resource Estimates Now Jump Off the Page

A Bridge Becomes a Highway

Low-Cost Natural Gas - Not Everyones a Fan

Anatomy of a Movement: Start with $$$

Scholarships in Higher Education

Plant Your Seeds

$150, 000 American University
Josh Fox investigative workshop series

$150, 000

American Rivers
Most Endangered Rivers program

$100, 000

Environmental Working Group

$100, 000

NRDC

Plant Your Seeds

$100, 000
National Public Radio

$95, 000

Environmental Advocates of NY
Just Say No to Hydrofracking in New York project

$75, 000

Earthjustice Drinking water program

$70, 000

OGAP Anti-Marcellus organizer for PA/NY

70,000 >$

Manufacture Your Studies

[We] have not received any of what we would consider intense peer criticism.
- Anthony Ingraffea, Syracuse PostStandard web chat, Sept. 21, 2011

Some of the leading academic studies have been criticized for their source of funding. The Cornell report, for example, was partially funded by The Park Foundation, which has lobbied against gas drilling.

And Finally, Mobilize Your Attack

Any Room for Comprise? Yes.

Plenty of room for collaboration with solutionsoriented groups
Disclosure Closed-loop systems Water use & recycling Green fluids/completions

Not as much room to work with others

Temporary moratoria Local ordinances preventing development EPA permatorium over hydraulic fracturing Complete rejection of fossil fuels

I think that we need to get off fossil fuels entirely.

- Josh Fox, November 5, 2010

The Way Forward

Going above & beyond on the ground: HSE, community engagement Focus on local concerns roads, dust, noise, etc. Maximize local opportunities: jobs, revenue, cost-savings Revitalization of the middle-class Reintroduction of great industries of the past
Rail, Steel, Manufacturing

The Way Forward

EID/trade groups well-equipped engage ideological opponents Reorientation of communications approach
General public our new landowners, regulators

Blocking and tackling

Accept every invitation, get as many folks to rig sites as possible Respond in a straightforward , expeditious manner

Questions?

Comments? Suggestions?

Chris Tucker chris@energyindepth.org