Challenge
A leading global energy company was looking to site a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the New England area, an environment that has traditionally opposed such projects. To further compound the issue, federal legislation was inserted at the last minute to keep an existing landmark in place, making it physically impossible for the LNG tankers to navigate the waterway. Key influencers needed to know why the proposed site was best suited, especially to wary lawmakers who shared the concerns of their constituents that LNG tankers posed an attractive target to terrorists.

Our Work

• Executed strategic communications to support efforts at the federal level to undo legislation and supplement state advocacy efforts by targeting lawmakers who had yet to take a position on the issue.
• Developed national and state messages that demonstrated the regional need for natural gas and the adverse implications to the state of the recently passed federal legislation.
• Utilized existing relationships with key national and state media, articulated messages and shaped the debate to include our point of view.
• Leveraged mastery of state politics and used extensive political contacts with essential state influencers to educate about economic and political benefits of the project.

Results
Utilized favorable Congressional testimony about project made by key Member of Congress at Congressional hearing, to trigger earned media with the Associated Press, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, New Bedford Standard-Times and Fall River Herald News. Shortly thereafter, secured editorial from The Wall Street Journal articulating project's regional benefits and that the cost/benefit debates associated with siting an onshore LNG terminal was not accurate or complete. Built upon existing relationship with key state lawmaker to disseminate information to caucus that touted project's benefits to the state, thereby expanding the issue dialogue beyond local area, which would have to absorb project costs. Prior to key legislative milestone generated placement with widely regarded, inside the Beltway publication, The Hill, which touted national benefits of project.