Panel at the Fort Wayne, Indiana, Conversation on Energy meeting.
From left to right, Carin S. Knickel, vice president, human resources,
ConocoPhillips; Patrick Bennett, vice president of environment, energy
and infrastructure, Indiana Manufacturers Association; Christopher
F. Moore, Indiana Coalition for Renewable Energy and Economic
Development (ICREED); Merl Lindstrom, general manager, research
and development, ConocoPhillips; and Brandon Seitz, manager, energy
division, Indiana Office of Energy & Defense Development. |
In 2006, we launched our Conversation on Energy, a public
outreach program to address current energy challenges and
provide an opportunity for people to discuss solutions. In an era
of high gas prices and record profits, the program was prompted
by a realization that the oil industry has done an extremely poor
job of communicating with the public. This was corroborated
by a research study showing that oil companies had the lowest
credibility ranking of 25 major industries.
The basis of the program is a series of neighborhood meetings in
cities across the United States, where we engage in a two-way
dialogue with the public to better understand their views on
energy issues and to share information on what we are doing to
address those issues. Although the program is implemented in
the United States, the issues discussed are key themes for our
business across the globe.
The first Conversation on Energy event took place on
November 28, 2006, in Billings, Montana, where an audience
of approximately 300 local citizens was invited to ask questions
and offer comments and suggestions. Similar-sized town hall
meetings and community events have taken place across the
United States, bringing together energy experts, business
and community leaders and concerned citizens. Thirty-five
such meetings were planned for 2007, and the program will
continue during 2008 through a combination of meetings in
new markets and return visits to previous cities on the tour.
Each meeting is chaired by an independent moderator.
ConocoPhillips is represented by a technology manager and
a senior-level executive, who serve as panelists along with
invited local academicians, environmentalists, and business
and community leaders to represent different viewpoints.
Introductory remarks are kept brief to allow maximum time
for audience questions and discussion. Meeting attendees can
submit written questions if they prefer or if time runs out.
Conversation on Energy meeting in Jackson, Mississippi. We are
involved in discussion on a biofuels project with Mississippi State
University. |
Debate has tended to focus on alternative energy, the
environment, government action and policies, energy conservation
and industry operations. Among the most frequently asked
questions, and the pages in this report where we address the
topic, are:
The responses to these and other questions can be seen at the
Conversation on Energy Web site (
http://www.conocophillips.com/energy), where the public is
invited to join the discussion and offer views and feedback on
energy issues.
The site includes meeting reports, press coverage, the full tour
schedule and a form for individuals to register their interest in
attending events or receiving future energy updates. It also
features an information guide on energy types – from traditional
sources such as oil and gas to alternative energy sources – and
on other energy issues, including cost, availability, industry
profits and environmental impact.
Continuing the Conversation
We plan to continue our energy dialogue with the public
by growing and expanding the current Conversation on
Energy program.
- Energy Prize. To demonstrate a commitment to new ideas
and innovative energy solutions, ConocoPhillips and Penn
State will be rewarding one American inventor for his or her
contribution to alternative or renewable fuel development.
Proposals will be accepted beginning fall 2007.
- Education. Feedback from meetings consistently has
shown that the public desires an energy education program
for the youth of America – tomorrow’s issues-involved
citizens. We are conducting focus groups with teachers in
cities we visit on our Conversation on Energy tour to
evaluate the most effective means to communicate this
material before launching a formal program.
- Energy Tour. Conversation on Energy events will be
held around the United States through 2008. We will be
revisiting many of the cities on the 2007 tour and organizing
meetings in new markets, including several in very
large cities.
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Source: 2007 research results based on 1002 telephone
interviews conducted by Cherry Communications & Research
from 08/20/07 to 09/04/07.
Source: 2006 research results based on 1000 telephone
interviews conducted by Mercury Public Affairs from
08/09/06 to 08/20/06.
The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3%. |
National opinion research was conducted on behalf of
ConocoPhillips to gauge public opinion of the energy
industry. Early results showed positive movement
compared to the benchmark research undertaken one
year earlier. The company embarked on a nationwide
community outreach effort in 2006 to engage the
American public in a dialogue on energy.
More than two-thirds of respondents stated that
communication by energy companies with the American
public in 2007 was the same as or better than in 2006.
While favorability ratings of large energy companies did
not change significantly from 2006 to 2007, the study
showed a marked decrease in the percentage of respondents
stating that they had an unfavorable opinion of the industry.
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