Reflection

I am glad that I started this project. I have learned a lot about an industry that I truly knew very little about to begin with. Yet I feel that I am only scratching surface of the seemingly private world of Big Oil; one that affects each of us daily.

Not only do the industry giants affect us; we affect them. Our demand for this resource grows and our dependence is increased daily. I might not agree with the decisions of the Big Oil companies, but my choices each day strengthen their hold on my life and my pocket book.

It seems that the only way to better my situation and that of those I am around is to lessen my personal use. I have learned that there are more ways to lessen my personal impact on the impending oil crisis; more ways than I previously knew.

I vow to decrease my daily usage by:
1. Using less electricity in my home (by turning down the heat and air conditioning when I am not home and never leaving unnecessary lights on)
2. Buying more energy efficient appliances
3. Washing all my clothes in cold water
4. Carpooling at least once a week
5. Keeping my car tires pumped up (I was surprised to learn that this could increase my car's fuel efficiency drastically)

These are simple changes I can make in my own life and I will challenge those around me to make some personal changes as well.

For information about what you can do to decrease your personal energy usage, below are some excellent resources.

http://www.wecansolveit.org/content/pages/20/

http://www.greenteamutah.com/main.html

http://www.utahcleanenergy.org

Exxon Valdez

I am currently enrolled in a Crisis Communication class that covers widely accepted and successful Public relations practices when dealing with an organizational crisis.

Of course of the list of examples of what not to do, the Exxon Valdez oil spill is at the top. Since starting this Blog, I have wanted to post on this case. Can you believe that it is nearing 20 years since the disaster happened and ExxonMobil is still fighting when it comes to taking the blame?

In a February 2008 press release from the Exxon website, the representative stated that the ongoing "case before the Supreme Court is not about compensating people for actual damages. All such claims have been resolved. Rather, the case is about whether further punishment is warranted..."

http://www.exxonmobil.co.uk/Corporate/about_issues_valdez_sc_022708.aspx

According to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, work to restore the beautiful Prince William Sound is still an ongoing, daily struggle. Why would a company, who made a profit of $40bn in 2007 alone, feel that the $3.5bn they have thus far put into cleaning up the disaster (for which they are fully responsible) truly be enough?

http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/

It is my opinion, and I believe this to be true from a PR standpoint, the company should support the restoration of the sound until it is in as good of a condition than it was before the spill. If ExxonMobil would step up and take full responsibility for this crisis, it could help their image in the eyes of the American people. But if they haven't been willing to do that in the past, could it ever really happen?