Facebook: A Place for Environmental Groups to Advocate

By Sharon Meyer

Facebook has become a huge outlet for environmentalist groups like the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, which is reaching out to by status updating about an important public hearing.
Such a status update looks something like this:

New Jersey Highlands Coalition The DEP is taking testimony on PSE&G's applications for a Flood Hazard Area and an Individual Freshwater Wetlands permit.
Both permits can be viewed at http://www.pseg.com/companies/pseandg/powerline/updatesreports.jsp
Please come out and support us in the fight against the lines!

DEP Public Hearing on PSE&G Susquehanna-Roseland Transmission Line
Time:6:00PM Wednesday, April 28th
Location:BERKSHIRE VALLEY GOLF COURSE

With over 350 million people that are members of Facebook, according to answers.com, this means of medium had extended the coalitions reach for support nation wide.
There is a public meeting on April 28th at 6 pm on Wednesday about the Susquenhanna-Roseland Transmission line. PSE&G SAYS, “need to construct the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line, which is required to prevent the possibility of brownouts and blackouts and maintain the reliability of the power grid,” according to a PSE&G’s press release.
The NJ Highlands Coalition is asking for people to come out that day and voice their opinions on why the 16 townships PSE&G is planing to build the power line over should be spared for environmental reasons.
These are what public hearings are for, so that the residents of the township can ask questions and voice opinions on those concerns. Underneath a similar post about PSE&G’s Susquenhanna-Roseland transmission line some people did just that and voiced how they felt about the project under the comment section of the post. For example:

Salvatore Vaspol We should get them to put a wind turbine on top of every new tower!
March 17 at 11:05am

Roseann Procopio look out planes & birds....
Not only has the NJ Highlands Coalition taken advantage of such a smart medium, but Facebook appeal to people of all ages. It is perfect way to get the younger generations involved with environmental issues. The younger they get involve the better chance these environmental groups have of sustaining themselves in the future.
Getting the people to come out to the public hearings is the biggest challenge for environmentalists. The more the public voices their opinions on the issue, the greater chance that they will actually be heard.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Jersey-Highlands-Coalition/184738679280