Congressman looks at possible Russian backed anti-fracking ads

Fuel Fix:

Texas Congressman Lamar Smith has told the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter and Google's parent company Alphabet to hand over documents related to anti-fracking ads that ran on their sites.

Smith, a San Antonio Republican, is seeking information on whether the Russian government or affiliated entities were behind the ads as part of what Smith says is "efforts to manipulate the U.S. energy market."

Earlier this month Facebook disclosed a Russian company affiliated with the the Kremlin had purchased more than $100,000 in political advertisements on controversial issues like immigration and gay rights.

"In light of Facebook's disclosure... it is likely that Russia undertook a similar effort using social media to influence the U.S. energy market," Smith said in a statement. "Social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, have the ability to serve as an effective propaganda arm conveying specific messages to geographically targeted audiences."
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The Russians have been accused of promoting the anti-fracking movement before.  They have seen the price for oil drop by more than half since US frackers increased the supply of oil on the world market.

I have a vague recollection of seeing their Facebook ads during the election.  I thought they were rather crude and unpersuasive.  I have seen other reports where they have backed environmental groups who oppose energy production in general and fracking in particular.

The anti-energy left has been an ally of Russia and Opec whether it is doing so wittingly or not.  Their policies aid countries whose interests conflict with those of the US.