PSEG, New Jersey's largest utility, has been buying op-ed space in the state's largest newspaper to burnish its brand and build public support for a number of its projects, including the 500-kv Susquehanna-Roseland electric transmission line.That controversial venture, proposed to be built along a 46-mile corridor between the Delaware Water Gap in Warren County and the town of Roseland in Essex County, has drawn heavy fire from a number of local and state-wide environmental groups, including the Sierra Club.
The enviros have had to resort to media events, letters to the editor and email to advance their arguments against the project. PSEG has enjoyed the purchasing-power advantage of promoting the power line's virtues in its op-ed "Advertorials" in the (Newark) Star-Ledger.
[The Ledger, for you out-of-state folks, is read throughout most of New Jersey and by virtually everyone in the state's political establishment. Think of it as Trenton's Washington Post]
[The Ledger, for you out-of-state folks, is read throughout most of New Jersey and by virtually everyone in the state's political establishment. Think of it as Trenton's Washington Post]
The latest and most interesting skirmish between the two sides occurred last week when PSEG filed to block the enviros (including the Sierra Club) from gaining standing as intervenors at the state Board of Public Utilities which can approve or veto the power line's construction. See: PSE&G files to block enviros opposing power line
That was a traditional, hard-ball Jersey move, the legal fist inside the velvet glove that PSEG prefers to show in public.
But, Quel suprise! Today we open the Star-Ledger only to find an advertorial by the Sierra Club's Jeff Tittel, paid for by PSEG!
This was PSEG's explanation for the olive-branch offering:
Beginning today, PSEG will occasionally offer our regular Thursday oped space to environmental groups. This piece, by Jeff Tittel, president of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, appears in honor of Earth Day.
How disorienting. No, not PSEG's offer. That's smart PR. We're talking about the Sierra Club's acceptance of the same.
What's up Jeff? Isn't big business the root of all evil? Aren't utilities polluters? Isn't PSEG attempting to import nasty coal-generated power into New Jersey via their new power line? Won't it ravage the countryside, despoil wetlands, and launch a new wave of sprawl?Isn't it your job to oppose everything they do?
Then, why, pray tell, would you allow them to pay for your lunch at the state's highest-price media restaurant?
[What's your opinion on all this? Share your thoughts in the comment box below. If you don't see one, click on the tiny "comments" link.]
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8 comments:
The media whore of the environmental community strikes again - anything to see your name in the papers, huh Jeff?
Frank - I feel like the Chief in the scene at the end of the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" - you know, where the Chief uses the pillow to suffocate Jack Nicholson rather than see him live as a vegetable after the lobotomy they performed on him.
I've know Jeff for a long time - but where's the pillow?
I guess what really matters is what Jeff Tittle's piece actually said and if they had editorial control. If it was contrary to PSE&G's interest it might be considered a real coup. Get your enemy to pay for a piece that they won't want to read. Good one Jeff.
Dear Anonymous:
To see what Jeff had to say, click on the highlighted word "advertorial" in the post above.
Frank - Thanks for posting this, and for questioning the motives behind this incredible greenwashing Tittel has provided for PSE&G. Sadly, Jeff has little credibility left among a great many members of the environmental community. Also, your headline is a bit unfair - to lump all the real enviros in with Tittel is doing them a disservice, honestly. There are many hard working activists who are dismayed by his continual use of rectal data and distortion of reality to feed his own ego. Thanks again for pointing out the hypocrisy.
There is some hypocrisy on the part of the Sierra Club here. However, there is also some strategy. Despite the individual personality of Tittle, can we really blame the Sierra Club for attempting to get their message out and letting someone else pick up the tab? Contrary to Frank's opinion, it isn't the Sierra Club's (or Tittle's) job to oppose everything...
The Tittle article is co-branded on the website with PSE&G. And the article plays ball with PSE&G way more than Jeff's typical statements. He couldn't resist the media limelight. One of the most sanctimonious of men is revealing yet again that he can't resist a media appearance, no matter what he has to do or say. It's a shame.
Hasn't anyone commented that the Sierra Club published a press release titled PSE&G -- Pure Spin Energy Group -- just two months ago? http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/PressReleases/0056.asp
If even the Sierra Club is going to compromise, then perhaps we've losing by more than I'd thought.
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