Federal regulators unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to use the Internet to block anti-fracking activists from disrupting their Thursday public meeting in Washington.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted to hold its monthly public meeting via webcast only, after environmentalists launched a week-long campaign targeting the agency’s headquarters as well as the homes of all four of its commissioners to protest shale development and fracking.
The monthly public meetings are typically live open to lobbyists, reporters and any other members of the public that wish to attend.
But the commissioners appear to be growing wary. Protesters have hijacked the public meetings in the past by chanting in the main meeting room until security escorted them out. It seems like the commissioners have had enough of that over the last year.
“Anyone may view this event via the Internet by navigating to www.ferc.gov’s Calendar of Events and locating this event in the Calendar,” a statement says. “This event will contain a link to the webcast.”
The #RubberStampRebellion marches on around @FERC to #breakfree2016 check out @politico @Morning_Energy for previews pic.twitter.com/N1CZG8yKEg
— Environmental Action (@EnviroAction) May 16, 2016
The activists, dubbed the Rubberstamp Rebellion, accuse the commission of rubber stamping industry pipeline plans that spur more fracking and exacerbate global warming.
Industry observers and those who track energy policy in Washington thought the activists went too far this time by carrying their protests to the homes of all four commissioners, three of whom are Democrats. Others say the protests at FERC headquarters have snarled traffic in the past and caused headaches for parents who use a nearby day-care facility for federal workers.
