Independent Specialists

According to data collected by a major U.S. university, the following people have the lowest credibility with an audience: corporate officials or “spokesmen,” lawyers, and professional consultants. Government agencies and company scientists and engineers earn higher marks.

Highest of all on the credibility scale are doctors, clergymen, academics, and environmental groups and “public interest” organizations.

When an issue of high concern (impact of your project on air quality, for example) arises, who should address it publicly? Although a member of your project team may be more qualified to address the specifics, they will have less credibility – and an important opportunity may be lost – than if you were to ask a respected scientist from the local university to prepare a report and deliver it to a targeted audience.

Another approach is to involve technical experts and/or environmental group representatives in preparing, reviewing or compiling information about your project before it is presented to the permitting agency or the public. Any concerns can be addressed proactively, and the odds of intervention on those issues are significantly diminished.

The Terra Group has assisted clients in identifying credible outside experts to work with project teams on sensitive energy projects. These companies include:

Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company

Toledo Edison Company