Industry-funded front groups. Every transmission developer uses them. Nobody is fooled, but that never stops them from trying to influence regulatory approvals with an astroturf appearance of public support.
I've written plenty about the seven common propaganda devices and how they're used by transmission developers to facilitate regulatory approvals for their project.
Here's a quick and easy blog post.
Here's a longer, more technical explanation with real life examples from the PATH project that were part of the 2010 ATRR Formal Challenge that FERC granted and set for hearing (propaganda discussion begins on page 15).
Would it come as any surprise that Clean Line Energy is busy sending out promotional information to unsuspecting patsies via its own astroturf front group just days before the Illinois Commerce Commission public hearing?
No. I wish I had a dime for every time I correctly predicted what some transmission owner would do next so that opposition groups could get there first and set an appropriate trap. Me and my Magic 8 Ball would now own our own private island somewhere warm and transmission line-free.
Meet Clean Line Energy's astroturf front group. This group falsely claims:
I've written plenty about the seven common propaganda devices and how they're used by transmission developers to facilitate regulatory approvals for their project.
Here's a quick and easy blog post.
Here's a longer, more technical explanation with real life examples from the PATH project that were part of the 2010 ATRR Formal Challenge that FERC granted and set for hearing (propaganda discussion begins on page 15).
Would it come as any surprise that Clean Line Energy is busy sending out promotional information to unsuspecting patsies via its own astroturf front group just days before the Illinois Commerce Commission public hearing?
No. I wish I had a dime for every time I correctly predicted what some transmission owner would do next so that opposition groups could get there first and set an appropriate trap. Me and my Magic 8 Ball would now own our own private island somewhere warm and transmission line-free.
Meet Clean Line Energy's astroturf front group. This group falsely claims:
Consumer Energy Alliance is the voice of the energy consumer. We provide consumers with sound, unbiased information on U.S. and global energy issues. Our affiliates comprise a range of sectors from the energy industry, academia, small businesses, conservation groups to travel-related industries.
Where are the residential consumers? They're not on CEA's membership list. Those are commercial and industrial business groups. However, Clean Line Energy Partners is listed as a "member" under the category heading "Energy Providers and Suppliers." This organization is registered with the IRS as a C35 (Energy Resources Conservation and Development). Does that sound like an organization run by "consumer voices?" It apparently didn't to the IRS, either. See CEA's very informative IRS Form 990 for tax year 2011 here. It seems that a lot of money was spent "expanding dialogue between energy and consuming sectors." Although, this organization can't seem to make up its mind whether it is advocating for clean or dirty energy. Any port in a (revenue hungry) storm, I guess.
I give this an 8 out of 10 on the boldface lie scale. It's only topped by the time one of PATH's front groups illegally claimed that it was a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
FAIL, Clean Line, F-A-I-L!
I give this an 8 out of 10 on the boldface lie scale. It's only topped by the time one of PATH's front groups illegally claimed that it was a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
FAIL, Clean Line, F-A-I-L!
RSS Feed