For today’s Follow Friday, we interviewed Heather Tighe of @FrackingInsider. Heather gives us the inside scoop on FrackingInsider.com and its approach to social media:
Our website provides interested parties with coverage of the most critical developments in hydraulic fracturing and natural gas development — including the legal, regulatory, economic and legislative/policy issues related to fracking (on both the state and national level). @FrackingInsider / FrackingInsider.com came about as a tool to help our industrial and manufacturing clients understand the pressures facing the natural gas industry. We hope it allows clients to understand their shared stake in having the industry regulated in a rational and fair manner.
Are you the only person that tweets? How did you decide to start tweeting?
We have an in-house Environmental and Energy group that take turns writing and contributing content from various backgrounds and perspectives – some take on the technical issues, others the regulatory and legislative items. This in-house team contributes to @FrackingInsider – we started tweeting to promote what was discussed on FrackingInsider.
How long have you been tweeting?
We’ve been tweeting since the inception of FrackingInsider – late 2010.
What role does Twitter have for Fracking Insider?
Twitter allows us to reach an audience wider than those presently subscribed to FrackingInsider.com. Additionally, @FrackingInsider allows us to engage in dialogue with others interested in U.S. domestic energy production.
Your website focuses on a broad range of issues related to frac’ing. Is there a favorite topic with the readers, or amongst the staff?
We love a good comeback story, so we’re always eager to highlight the amazing economic recoveries occurring in places like Youngstown, Ohio; Morgantown, West Virginia or Williston, North Dakota. These are places which have struggled economically for decades, but now have an abundance of opportunities because of hydraulic fracturing technology. We’re also highly interested in the impact of increased domestic oil and gas supplies upon United States manufacturing.
Have there been any memorable or controversial issues/stories you’ve posted to Fracking Insider? Our most memorable story was probably our blog on how President Obama may approach hydraulic fracturing regulation in his second term. The blog was picked up and nationally syndicated. It really pulled in a broader audience for our blog.
What do you think is the most interesting aspect of @FrackingInsider?
Hydraulic fracturing is quickly becoming both the most highly-visible and controversial environmental issue. With widespread public interest (and sometime unfavorable media scrutiny) comes intense regulatory and legislative pressures at all levels of government. We’re proud to act as a resource for companies and stakeholders who want to stay abreast of the legal developments surrounding hydraulic fracturing. @FrackingInsider allows us to have a direct impact in shaping the discussion for a healthy and safe domestic energy program.
Judging from feedback from both Twitter and your website, can you describe the general consensus towards hydraulic fracturing?
While hydraulic fracturing has been used safely since the 1940’s, it is only now coming into the public’s consciousness – many people do not quite understand it. In places that have seen the tremendous benefits of natural gas production, the consensus seems to be overwhelmingly positive. We expect more pressure to come from both the EPA and environmental groups seeking to extend federal regulation to fracking, natural gas resource development and transportation.
Where can we go to learn more about Fracking Insider?
Our blog’s about section, the blog itself or our Twitter page.
