A few days ago I written to substack About a set of nine energy-related predictions for 2024. These forecasts touched on different parts of the energy sector, including coal, electric vehicles, renewables, and oil and gas. I didn't mention nuclear energy, mainly because I don't really expect this industry to get much support from policymakers over the next 12 months. We may have missed an opportunity to make a prediction, but that's the way it is for now.

Now, it turns out that I may have missed another low-hanging fruit when it comes to making simple predictions. The proof arrived in my email inbox. Link to website We notified members of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) of the upcoming opportunity to spend three days in Port Arthur, Texas. Readers may be wondering why he would want to spend three days in Port Arthur, but considering that Port Arthur is not one of Texas' tourist meccas, he And that's natural. (Related: David Blackmon: Climate fascists are on the march)

However, Port Arthur has long served as a hub for oil refining, plastics, and petrochemical operations, which is not surprising given its location and status as a major port on the Texas Gulf Coast. As it turns out, that's why SEJ is inviting its members to spend time in Port Arthur from January 24th to 26th as part of an event hosted by the Michael Bloomberg-funded activist organization Beyond Plastics and local organizations. That's why I'm notifying you that there is an opportunity. It's called the Port Arthur Community Action Network.

Even better, journalists with loose personal or company ethics guidelines who can accept invitations to events will be able to travel on their Bloomberg expense accounts.

The invitation states that there is no registration fee. “We will provide you with free lodging and meals, but you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own travel to and from Houston.” We also provide details on complimentary bus transportation between Houston and Port Arthur. .

For those who don't know, the sister groups Beyond Plastics and Beyond Petrochemicals are Funded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg Raise funds through a complex network of environmental activists and underground financial organizations. According to Bloomberg Philanthropies, Beyond Petrochemicals will build on the work of Beyond Plastics and “expand the work being done by frontline communities.” With funding from Bloomberg, these organizations distribute millions of dollars to local front groups close to their communities and can appear to outside media as grassroots, organic efforts.

I have no doubt that this event will be filled with journalists willing to write the stories these billionaires and their front groups want to see. And arguably the publications they write will have little or no coverage of the troubling conflicts of interest in how events are organized and funded. Now, imagine how those same media outlets would react if it were revealed that the plastics and petrochemical companies themselves had invited the same journalists to fun-paid seminars to learn the other side of the story. please. Holy smoke.

These same players are Similar paid seminars Aspiring journalists who were in New Orleans at the same time last year were able to spend three days promoting what activists call “Gun Alley.” Again, not the most attractive location for tours, but there's no doubt that the food in the city was delicious.

Similar to the 2023 event, this year's ConFab agenda includes a variety of anti-fossil fuel advocates, including Dr. Robert Bullard, a professor of urban planning and environmental policy known as the “Father of Environmental Justice,” and Jen Powis. There are a lot of presentations. Earthjustice's Gulf Coast attorney. The purpose is clear. Promoting negative national media articles about the petrochemical and plastics industry serves as a germination point for future lawsuits and free publicity.

So the opportunity I missed here becomes clear. Should have added 10.^th America's plastics and petrochemical industries, which provide thousands of products essential to the modern way of life, are at the mercy of left-wing billionaires and front groups who are funding massive new media and litigation campaigns. I predict they will be targeted.

Let's talk about low hanging fruit.

David Blackmon is an energy writer and consultant based in Texas. He spent his 40 years in the oil and gas business, specializing in public policy and communications.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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