Thursday, March 9, 2006

Guest Opinion: Good business transcends time, special interests

JAMES J. CLEARY

Tucson Citizen

In the early 20th century, when companieswere trying to restore the public's confidenceand trust, AT&T executive Arthur Page said: "All business in a democratic country begins with public permission and exists by public approval."

Page's words are no less true today. His principles for corporate humility still guide us after a century.

When energy infrastructure projects are proposed - such as the natural gas pipeline south of Tucson that my company, El Paso Natural Gas, is considering - more often than not, there will be some opposition or concerns.

Therefore, we must be open and honest. We must interact with stakeholders. We must listen. Only from a transparent and humble process will reasonable outcomes emerge. The process is clear.

First, we seek to inform, so that there will be an adequate understanding of the issues.

Second, we listen to critical feedback and respond. Ideally, this two-way communication continues throughout the project's life.

Third, we seek to involve the public and stakeholders through meetings, discussions and other forms of direct contact so we can understand and reflect on any concerns and reach common ground.

Fourth, as we continue to solicit advice and feedback, we look for ways to move forward together.

We believe that through such openness, candor and close consultation, projects can be sensitive to, and compatible with, wildlife, wildlife habitat and other environmental and cultural values.

In fact, they must be. The key, however, is mutually respectful and honest dialogue from the very beginning.

After hearing stakeholders' ideas and concerns, we seek to factor those into project planning. For example, Altar Valley landowners have urged us to more closely follow the Highway 286 corridor.

That raises concerns for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which manages the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.

We respect that agency's mission and wildlife conservation goals. That's why we see the service as a key stakeholder in our project.

We continue our efforts to understand the natural, cultural and human resources in the Sasabe area.

We've surveyed land and studied environmental, cultural and archaeological features in the area, and we continue to analyze our findings.

We know the endangered masked bobwhite quail was once considered extinct in the area, and now the population is rebounding.

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