Energy companies fight fracking controversies with PR, ads
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WASHINGTON—Energy companies are battling the backlash over fracking with advertising and public relations efforts touting the clean image of the controversial drilling practice as they expand their efforts to extract natural gas and other energy sources from shale.
An outcry over fracking has erupted as some environmentalists and property owners have sued and demanded regulations that would halt the process over fears that it could contaminate groundwater or cause other environmental problems.
In response to what they feel are erroneous claims, energy companies are fighting back.
“We have a campaign to push back whenever we see nonsense or lies,” said Brian Petty, executive vp of government affairs at the International Assn. of Drilling Contractors in Washington.
A consortium of energy trade associations formed Energy in Depth, a Web-based resource at www.energyindepth.org that aims to debunk what it sees as erroneous claims about fracking.
“If there is one thing that ties together opponents of responsible energy development, it's the liberal use of exaggeration,” EID says in one online response to an anti-fracking group.
In a separate effort, the American Petroleum Institute has hired a firm to develop an ad campaign for the API's Energy from Shale initiative, which promotes the benefits of extracting energy resources from fracking. Advertising Age, a sister publication of Business Insurance, reported the size of the campaign at about $20 million.
Exxon Mobil Corp. also has been running a television ad campaign promoting the safety of fracking and the need for natural gas.
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