UNDER THE
SPOTLIGHT
The widespread use of the Internet and social media has allowed public opposition to become more organized against pipeline projects .
Keystone Pipeline . Dakota Access Pipeline . Once upon a time , the names of oil-and-gas pipelines were obscure tidbits of trivia , known only to energy professionals and industry regulators . Displayed on intricate GIS maps , discussed by marketers and schedulers , these names were all but unknown to the general public .
That was then ; this is now . Today , projects like Keystone and Dakota Access are lightning rods for environmental activists and industry opponents who rally massive support on social media . Their ability to organize and build opposition on a national scale has redefined NIMBY ,
effectively making “ my backyard ” anywhere a pipeline is proposed .
“ Today , our industry is not only experiencing opposition from environmentalists but from other stakeholders such as landowners and community organizations who are also passionate about their views ,” says Dave Darcey , vice president , Strategic Development . “ The reality is that opposition toward our pipeline projects and our industry is stronger than ever .”
Opposition toward a project no longer flies quietly under the radar . The widespread use of the Internet and social media has allowed opposition to become more organized across the country and to easily share tactics , news and knowledge .
The majority of the public opposition toward the hydrocarbon industry comes from environmental groups , human rights activists and NIMBY landowners . Public opposition toward pipelines is not just contained to local communities ; it can
Our Dalton expansion will serve customers in northern Georgia .
2 CONNECT : A PUBLICATION FOR WILLIAMS CUSTOMERS | VOL . 4 , ISSUE 2