Why "Gasland" Auteur Josh Fox Owes Natural-Gas Lobbyists a Thank-You Note
The natural gas industry wasted little time dumping on that damned Hollywood elite for bestowing the controversial film Gasland with an Oscar nomination for best documentary feature. Its predictable response, though, merely continues an unfortunate PR campaign that's mostly accomplished the opposite of what the natural gas industry has hoped to achieve.
Natural gas industry lobby group Energy in Depth comes across as every bit the angry loser in its statement:
While it's unfortunate there isn't an Oscar category for propaganda, this nomination is fitting, as the Oscars are aimed at praising pure entertainment among Hollywood's elite. Without doubt, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated Gasland for its work in the field of art, not science.Meanwhile, America's Natural Gas Alliance stuck to a more parental "we're disappointed" tone:
This nomination is particularly troubling because natural gas is routinely and safely produced across this country and holds such extraordinary potential to advance our nation's clean energy economy. Contrary to the film's claims, natural gas development can and does exist in harmony with our environment, and it can play a central role in improving our nation's air quality and solving our energy challenges.There's no doubt that natural gas is a significant and important piece of the nation's energy portfolio. The boom in unconventional gas production in the U.S. has been called a global game-changer by the International Energy Agency. But existing "in harmony with the environment"? The industry isn't doing itself any favors by taking such broad liberties with that statement. Concerns about the effect on water supplies has prompted the EPA to conduct a two-year study hydraulic fracturing, one method used to access hard-to-reach natural gas deposits.
Unfortunately, the industry's incessant dressing down of Gasland filmmaker Josh Fox only confirms what the general public is already predisposed to believe: the industry is the defensive bad guy; and Fox, the hero just trying to give the little guy a voice.
Gasland, which also received a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival, may have received an Oscar nomination regardless of the attacks. After all, Fox is a compelling storyteller. But the controversy surrounding the film, which was fueled entirely by industry lobby groups, ensured that more people would be compelled to watch it. Fox should send these guys a dozen roses for the free publicity.
Photo from Wow International Co.
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