On March 2, 2006, as work crews shoveled through the heavy snow blanketing the Prudhoe Bay oil fields
of northern Alaska, they spotted a small hole of no more than a quarter of an inch along the pipeline. As
BP America, the company in charge of the oil fields, quickly learned, this tiny hole would prove to be the
source of the worst oil spill ever – some 270,000 gallons of crude oil – on the North Slope of Alaska. BP
America and its parent company, BP, soon discovered that their enormous re-branding efforts and
carefully cultivated image for being environmentally friendly would be challenged by the reality of
extracting petroleum in Alaska’s harsh northern environment. 8 pp. Case #06-14. (2006)

An April 20, 2010 explosion on board the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil-drilling platform killed 11 workers, injured 17 and triggered a leak that spilled more than 206 million gallons of oil over 665 miles of coastline and 4,000 square miles of fishing waters. This case discusses the events that led to the disaster and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It also outlines key figures within BP’s organization and how they factored into the long and difficult corporate communications process. (A) case, 13 pp. (B) case, 2 pp. Case # 11-04 (2011)

British Petroleum (BP) applied for a permit in 2006 to expand its Indiana refinery and increase its
discharge of ammonia and suspended solids into Lake Michigan. The permit was approved by
the state and federal regulatory authorities. What followed was an outcry of public opinion
against this decision culminating in an article in the national media and speeches by presidential
candidate Barack Obama. Though BP had full regulatory approval to proceed with the expansion,
and the scientific consensus was that the increased discharge would not harm the Lake Michigan
ecosystem, BP decided not to use the new discharge permit in the face of intense public scrutiny.
However, this did not quell the negative media coverage regarding its discharge application. 13
pp. Case #08-02. (2008)

The FutureGen Alliance was formed to develop an environmentally-friendly coal plant as a joint venture
with the Department of Energy. As costs rose, the Department of Energy decided to withdraw
participation from the FutureGen project. This withdrawal happened quickly and without prior
knowledge from the FutureGen Alliance. The DOE also withheld the official “Record of Decision,”
which would have allowed FutureGen to begin construction. In the end, what message should FutureGen
CEO Michael Mudd take back to his consortium of investors? 10 pp. Case #08-13. (2008)

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is one of the largest electric and gas utilities in the
United States. Higher oil prices, interest rates, and the Clean Air Act of 1970 caused slowing
growth for the industry, but federal legislation is passed to stimulate competition. By 1997,
however, California legislation begins to restructure the electric industry to protect consumers
from high costs, forcing PG&E into financial ruin. As California residents begin to experience
rolling blackouts, PG&E must withstand the disaster that deregulation is causing the company, as
well as draft a plan to maintain relations with consumers, regulators, legislators, and others. 10
pp. Case #01-03. (2001)

Texaco gained public attention when The New York Times reported on an audio tape with Texaco
senior managers making “disparaging comments about minorities.” Texaco was already in the
midst of a little-known discrimination suit when the report about the tape became public. The
company, now under fire for racial discrimination problems within the corporate culture, faces
the task of answering the allegations. (A) Case, 7 pp. (B) Case, 24 pp. Case #00-11. (2000)

In February 2021, Storm Uri devastated an unprepared Texas which resulted in mass power outages across the state. Texans faced low temperatures, food shortages, water shortages, and power outages during the storm and high electricity bills after. When electricity demand exceeded supply, electricity prices per kilowatt-hour soared, leaving many Texans with monthly electricity bills in the thousands. ERCOT is responsible for ensuring the reliability of electric service for 90 percent of the state, despite not owning the Texas grid or setting prices, and has been highly criticized for its decision making during the event by Texas politicians, residents, and the media. 15 pp. Case # 21-02 (2021)