I'm typing this from the Amsterdam airport, waiting for our flight home. The Royal Dutch Shell shareholder meeting went well. Both Mike Lane and I were able to address the board of directors and the assembled shareholders, both in the Hague and London (via teleconferencing). We did have a meeting with a VP for Gas and Power. While at the end of the day, I think our disagreement over open vs. closed-loop is pretty black and white, Shell treated our group well and were quite accomodating. Here's the NOLA Times-Picayune coverage
Mike spoke to the board first, and I followed, trying to clear up a mischaracterization of Gulf Landing used by Linda Cook (chief executive of gas and power for Shell) in her response to Mike's question about the project. Unfortunately, as Shell has often done in the past and continues to do, they state that the state wildlife and fisheries department and the Governor of Louisiana support the project. While the Governor may (you would need to ask her), the state agency remains opposed to this technology, and though their experts are indeed involved in the advisory group shell has put together, they retain their opposition to the project.
I pointed that out clearly in my response to the board. After the meeting we were able to discuss the project with Jeroen van der Veer, Shell's CEO, underscoring our concerns in person, face to face. Unfortunately, Linda Cook did not make herself available to discuss the project.
They are highly aware of the concerns over the project, as well as our litigation, but currently seem committed to building in open-loop - though construction has not yet commenced. So there's still time to convince them - and we'll keep educating the public about our concerns, and urge folks to communicate those concerns to Shell.
Aaron Viles is the Campaign Director for the GRN
