Buckeye Environmental Network

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wants to sell fracking leases on 2,840 acres of the Wayne National Forest. Ohio's only national forest. The lease sale is set for September 15, 2026. People submitted thousands of comments during the public scoping period for these parcels, opposing BLM’s plan, but the agency has decided to move forward with the auction anyway. A formal protest period is open now, ending August 17, 2026. Your letter (NOT email) must be received (NOT postmarked) by the deadline!

Our one-page guide explains how to submit one:
https://bit.ly/wnf-protests

Dr. Jeffery, Marietta College Geologist on the injection well situation near Marietta:

"There seems to be an inability to face the fact that there is a catastrophic escape of the waste — indicating a total failure of the fracking waste injection program.

The governor should declare a state of emergency in the impacted part of Washington County.

Washington County is sounding the alarm. Columbus needs to listen — before our drinking water is tainted by toxic waste.

Stop the injection. Lower the pressure. Protect the aquifers. Do it now."

Read his op-ed in the Ohio Capital Journal published yesterday -->
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/08/04/ohio-should-treat-the-threat-of-radioactive-fracking-waste-like-the-emergency-that-it-is/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 5, 2026

Data Centers Not Welcome in Athens County

ATHENS, OHIO– On Tuesday, August 4, Athens County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that states, “the county cannot support the building of or the resources needed to fulfill the needs of the development of Data Centers.”

Roxanne Groff and Heather Cantino, who both serve on the Advisory Board for Buckeye Environmental Network, a statewide environmental justice nonprofit, and organize locally with Athens County’s Future Action Network, collaborated on a proposed resolution, which Cantino presented to the Commission at its July 28 meeting.

[See our full press release at the link]

https://benohio.org/press-release-data-centers-not-welcome-in-athens-county/

Freepoint ignored our July 26 deadline and still won’t agree to a public meeting. It laid off most of its workers and shut down its Hebron plant, but it still owes workers and the community answers. Use our digital action guide to contact Freepoint and elected officials today: bit.ly/4bfs2ly.

Demand severance pay, medical support, independent testing and cleanup, and a public meeting in Hebron.

Our executive director, Becca Pollard, shares concerns about ODNR's Oil and Gas rule update process.

app.publicnewsservice.org

Did you know that human teeth can reveal a detailed history of environmental exposure?

In a new piece published by the Reporting Project and featured in the Chicago Tribune, Denison student reporter Ella Kitchens explores how researchers are collecting baby teeth to study long-term toxic exposures in local communities. The story highlights research being done by Dr. Arbor Quist in partnership with BEN.

📖 Read the full story here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/31/want-your-baby-teeth/?share=1uotewbbmitewww3bnbu

From industrial pollution to chemical runoff, understanding what our bodies absorb is a crucial step toward protecting public health and demanding cleaner, safer environments across Ohio.

Please like, comment, and share to help spread the word about this important research!

Why do these researchers want your baby teeth? This work will involve collecting data in unconventional ways: through gathering toenail clippings, naturally shed baby teeth and soil samples.

🚨 ATHENS COUNTY PUBLIC MEETING ALERT: The Athens County Commissioners are hosting a public meeting regarding the proposed CCC Plastics plant in The Plains.

CCC Plastics processes microplastics (nurdles) and plasticizing chemicals—risking local waterways, public health, and drinking water sources. While the company won't be in attendance, commissioners will record public statements and questions to send directly to CCC and the Port Authority.

🗓 When: Tuesday, August 4 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 📍 Where: The Plains Intermediate School Auditorium

Thank you to ACFAN - Athens County's Future Action Network - formerly Fracking Network for keeping the community informed on this critical issue! We need a strong turnout to demand that local leaders prioritize public health over plastic manufacturing.

Can’t make it in person or want to take action right now? ✍️ Sign & share the petition: https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-ccc-microplastics-in-athens-county

Please share this post with your neighbors and turn out on August 4 to make your voice heard!

Sign the Petition Say No to CCC Microplastics in Athens County

Don't forget to submit your comment by Monday, August 3!

ODNR plans to leave nine oil and gas rules unchanged, including rules on permits, pollution prevention, and safety. These rules are reviewed only once every five years, yet Ohioans have only two weeks to comment.

By August 3, email [email protected] and [email protected]. Demand more time, reject “no change,” and call for updated rules that protect Ohio communities.

Please CC [email protected] so we can track how many Ohioans speak out.

View our press release for more info at: https://benohio.org/odnrs-two-week-comment-period-falls-short-ben-demands-more-time-to-review-oil-and-gas-rules/

Grassroots organizing works! Thanks to relentless community advocacy from local partners and residents, the Athens County Commission supported a resolution opposing unvetted data center developments in the county.

When residents stand together and demand transparency, local leaders listen. Check out the coverage in the Athens Messenger: https://www.athensmessenger.com/news/athens-county-commission-commissioners-support-resolution-opposing-data-centers/article_0b4673d4-678c-42ba-b540-bb081b36e84c.html

Huge thank you to everyone in Athens County who spoke up!

Want to get involved in local efforts near you? Message our page to see how you can help protect your community!

Athens County Commission: Commissioners support resolution opposing data centers On Tuesday, the Athens County Board of Commissioners were presented with a draft resolution from a group of concerned citizens opposing the construction of data centers in Athens County.

Massive data center developments are pushing for a rapid expansion of fossil gas infrastructure right here in Ohio - locking us into decades of dirty energy, rising costs, and environmental harm.

Cathy Cowan Becker from Save Ohio Parks breaks down why expanding gas for data centers is a dangerous step backward for Ohio communities in a new op-ed for The Hill.

Read the full piece here: https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5989048-ohio-data-center-gas-expansion/

We need clean, sustainable energy solutions - not more gas expansion to power corporate data hubs. Please share this broadly!

Ohio’s cautionary tale on data centers is a lesson for us all With the right laws and incentives, data centers can transform from an extractive burden to an engine that builds communities and the clean energy economy. There’s a wrong way to power data centers…