In the summer of 2012, a 13-page memo was circulated that outlined specific and general measures needed to support the practice of hydraulic fracturing – “fracking” – in Ohio. The ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources), which regulates the process, was also internally pushing a public-relations campaign to promote the whole thing. Of course, that’s the total opposite of what regulatory government agencies should be doing.
Using “precise messaging and coordination,” the ODNR planned on combating “zealous resistance by environmental-activist opponents who are skilled propagandists,” making their work sound more like Cold War-type paranoia than, y’know, natural resources oversight. The department literally uses language like “allied audiences,” “neutral audiences” and “opposition groups and forums.” Northeast Ohio’s own State Rep. Nickie Antonio found herself on the bad list; Halliburton is listed as a friend. (Memo embedded below.)
Now, the memo was never “officially implemented,” according to reports, but anyone working in any office anywhere knows the power of internal culture. A top-down message of any ilk carries weight.
Mark Bruce, media spokesman for the ODNR, has said that the memo was drafted for internal discussion and never given the green-light as official policy. Scene has reached out to Bruce for comment on the memo; we’ll update the story when we hear back.
Gov. John Kasich’s spokesman, Rob Nichols, told the Dispatch that the governor was unaware of the memo. Records released over the weekend reveal that Kasich’s communications director, chief of staff and senior adviser were all invited to an Aug. 20, 2012, meeting that shared the general title of the memo’s contents: “Oil & Gas State Lands Leasing: Draft Outline for Communication Plan.” So, there’s that.
Here’s Brian Rothenberg, head of ProgressOhio, with an illuminating comment to the Dispatch:
“In 28 years in Columbus, I’ve never seen a document from a state agency that has a hit list of people to message against, and I’ve never seen a document so open about working with the regulated industries from the regulator.”
Strategic Drilling Communication Plan (ODNR) by sandyatscene
This article appears in Feb 12-18, 2014.
Mike McIntyre covered this issue during his show – The Sound of Ideas- on WCPN (Monday morning). Sadly, many regulatory agencies nationwide are more bedded down with lobbyists than the greasy-smiled career politicians….agency members gotta look out for those neat future jobs in the private sector when their disservice to the public gets tiresome.
Everyone get on Netflix and see the documentary called “Gasland”. It will show you that ODNR has no business whatsoever supporting horizontal fracking! Should they ever allow such activity on state park or forest land, it will be the death of our public lands. Salt Fork will become Salt Frak, and Hocking Hills will become Choking Hills.
Absolute scumbags.
Go Nickie!
This administration has the own personal agenda. They have no regard for the locals in Eastern OHIO…They feel they have the rights and the ability to think for the taxpayers. This is just another example of the Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s, doing what they think is best. Kasich, his cronies and wall street money will continue to pull the wool over our taxpayers. I am pro-drilling and yes under state lands, there is huge potential here, the positives do outweigh the negatives, but to go about this way is absurd. The truth is always the best, the rocks are full of hydrocarbons in this region and we should do our outmost to produce what the good Lord has given to us. We are stewards of the earth for such a short while, we can drill in a safe manner, but this behind the door tactic, that Kasich continues to play is not the way to go about it..Man I miss Ted!…..
Oh good, glad that the agency that’s supposed to keep us safe was going to support something that’s screwing up our water.