BLM has closed public comment on new fracking leases in the Wayne National Forest. The formal protest period is open. Protests must arrive by mail by Aug. 17. Mail yours as soon as possible so BLM receives and counts it. Our guide: bit.ly/wnf-protests

Athens County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing data centers. BEN’s Roxanne Groff and Heather Cantino, who organize with Athens County’s Future Action Network, developed the proposal. benohio.org/press-releas...

Data Centers Not Welcome in Athens County - Buckeye Environmental Network

Rxanne Groff and Athens County Commissioners pictured above FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 5, 2026 Data Centers Not […]

benohio.org

Freepoint laid off most workers, shut its Hebron plant and ignored our July 26 deadline for a public meeting. It still owes workers and the community answers. Use our guide to demand severance pay, medical support, independent testing and cleanup, and a public meeting: bit.ly/4bfs2ly

Our executive director @beccapollard.bsky.social shares concerns about ODNR’s rule change process. app.publicnewsservice.org/story/ohioan...

Ohioans want comment period extended for state oil and gas rules

Ohio regulators said the state’s existing rules for the oil and gas industry do not need any changes but environmental groups disagree.Every five years, the rules covering permits, safety, well

app.publicnewsservice.org

Today is the deadline to tell ODNR that “no change” to its Oil & Gas rules is unacceptable! We need rules that take into account current conditions and contemporary science! Tell ODNR to extend the too-short two-week comment period, solicit real input, ans make meaningful updates to protect Ohio!

Buckeye Environmental Network@buckeyeenviro.bsky.social · 4d ago

Have you submitted comments on ODNR’s oil and gas rule review yet? All you have to do is send an email! See details below.

Have you submitted comments on ODNR’s oil and gas rule review yet? All you have to do is send an email! See details below.

Buckeye Environmental Network@buckeyeenviro.bsky.social · last wk.

ODNR gave Ohioans just two weeks to comment on nine oil and gas rules it plans to leave unchanged. These rules are reviewed only once every five years. Send comments to BOTH emails by Aug 3: DOGRM.Rules@dnr.ohio.gov + CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov Demand more time.

Thanks @rooster.info for bringing more attention to this corruption! www.rooster.info/p/brian-chav...

Brian Chavez is Republican rule in rural Ohio

Ohio Republicans have worked hard over the past 15 years to leverage an electoral system where a reincarnated "Captain Planet" villain is almost immune at the ballot box.

rooster.info

ODNR gave Ohioans just two weeks to comment on nine oil and gas rules it plans to leave unchanged. These rules are reviewed only once every five years. Send comments to BOTH emails by Aug 3: DOGRM.Rules@dnr.ohio.gov + CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov Demand more time.

After more than 20 years of residents raising concerns over a local asphalt plant, they now have the chance to make their voices heard. https://nbc4i.co/4pFZiby?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_

Ohio EPA could renew Scioto Materials’ air permit. Its next routine stack test would not come until 2030 and would cover only three pollutants, leaving out VOCs and sulfur dioxide. Demand stronger controls and broader testing by Aug. 1 at 11:59 PM: tinyurl.com/y66k7hv9

Speaker after speaker called for a moratorium until comprehensive studies are completed and protective measures enacted, for stronger environmental protections, and greater transparency on any new data centers. freepress.org/article/colu...

Columbus Residents Overwhelmingly Demand Data Center Moratorium and Stronger Environmental Protections

freepress.org

Former Freepoint workers: Join Monday to learn about your OSHA rights, health risks from chemicals at the plant, and how to file an exposure report. Food is provided! Have certain dietary restrictions for the meal provided or need help covering missed wages so you can attend? Email info@benohio.org

For Immediate Release: Columbus Residents Overwhelmingly Demand Data Center Moratorium, Stronger Environmental Protections at City Council Committee Hearing benohio.org/columbus-res...

Columbus Residents Overwhelmingly Demand Data Center Moratorium, Stronger Environmental Protections at City Council Committee Hearing - Buckeye Environmental Network

For Immediate Release July 24, 2026 Columbus Residents Overwhelmingly Demand Data Center Moratorium, Stronger Environmental Protections at City Council Committee Hearing COLUMBUS, OHIO  Twenty-four pe...

benohio.org

Water, pollution, and public oversight were all part of yesterday's Columbus City Council hearing on data centers. These are the same concerns communities across Ohio have been raising. Read more: www.10tv.com/article/news...

Watch the live stream of the hearing in Columbus on Data Centers here!! www.youtube.com/live/073uVZa...

Council Public Utilities & Sustainability Committee: Data Center Policy

YouTube video by City of Columbus

youtube.com

Four Washington County injection wells are now shut down while ODNR investigates brine turning up in nearby oil and gas wells. Our organizer Bev Reed says a narrow drinking water study won't cut it this time. www.alleghenyfront.org/ohio-frack-w...

Ohio asks 4 injection wells to shut down, suspects frack wastewater is migrating to other wells

Local groups and the city of Marietta are concerned the migrating frack wastewater could impact drinking water sources.

alleghenyfront.org

This is a win for Ohio’s communities and waterways. The Ohio EPA received a large number of public comments opposing this plan, and people made a difference with over 7000 comments submitted. www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...

Ohio EPA backs off plan to let data centers dump wastewater into lakes

Ohio abandoned a controversial plan to allow certain data centers to discharge water into lakes and streams.

dispatch.com

Op ed by our Executive Director @beccapollard.bsky.social

Matter News@matternews.bsky.social · 2w ago

With the City Council presenting its draft proposal for municipal data center policy this week, residents must seize the moment to demand meaningful safeguards that will actually minimize the climate impacts of data centers writes Becca Pollard of the Buckeye Environmental Network.

Public meeting planned July 30 on massive gas power plant for data centers in southern OH oilandgaswatch.org/alert/da3ff8... @buckeyeenviro.bsky.social

Speak out against the data center buildout at Wednesday’s Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee hearing. July 22 at 5:30 PM at Columbus City Hall. To testify in person, virtually, or in writing, email clgolterman@columbus.gov by noon Tuesday.

This is a very important opportunity for the public to weigh in while policies are still in draft form!

Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche@christopherwyche.bsky.social · 3w ago

I want to hear from you! Join me and @cbuscitycouncil.bsky.social on Wednesday to discuss Data Centers and Lead Service Lines! Want to testify - email CLGolterman@columbus.gov

Air quality reached unhealthy levels across Ohio today. Our organizer Cat Adams spoke with The Reporting Project about how climate change is worsening wildfires. Check the replies for our one-pager with actions you can take this week. www.thereportingproject.org/licking-coun...

Licking County air quality considered 'very unhealthy' due to Canadian wildfires - The Reporting Project - Covering Licking County, Ohio

The Licking County Health Department recommends people stay inside as much as possible during unhealthy air conditions.

thereportingproject.org

Proud of everyone in Washington County who is fighting back to protect our water! We demand a longer term investigation initiated by the ODNR into their leaking injection wells. www.msn.com/en-us/money/...

Freepoint Eco-Systems announced that it would be shutting down its toxic plastic incinerator in Licking County. Community members are being kept in the dark about what's next. Take action TODAY to get justice for workers and make sure Freepoint cleans up its mess. bit.ly/4bfs2ly

Ohio Capital Journal covers in detail a few of the injection waste wells threatening Washington County's drinking water. This in-depth article paints a very clear picture of just how dire it is for ODNR to take action and initiate a long-term investigation. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/07/14/t...

'The precipice of an emergency.' Marietta residents worry drinking water could become contaminated. • Ohio Capital Journal

Washington County residents are raising concerns that injection wells in southeastern Ohio leaking brine waste will eventually pollute Marietta’s drinking water.

ohiocapitaljournal.com

A year and a half of organizing around the Redbird wells led to this. Now, we wonder what comes next.There are still many unanswered questions. benohio.org/sixteen-mont...

Sixteen Months of Organizing. Four Wells Shut Down. - Buckeye Environmental Network

Buckeye Environmental Network started organizing around injection wells and toxic brine migration in Washington County about a year and a half ago. Last week, that work paid off. On June 23rd, Buckeye...

benohio.org

Thank you Athens Independent for the thorough report detailing the Brine Migration in Washington County athensindependent.com/injection-we...

Washington County injection wells stop operating amid migration concerns

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources suspects the four wells may have impacted surrounding oil and gas production.

athensindependent.com

Demands, including launching a long-term, systemic ODNR investigation into brine waste migration across Southeastern Ohio, not just at Redbird, from the desk of Rep. Tristian Rader ohiohouse.gov/members/tris...

Bev Reed of BEN asked why ODNR hadn’t acted earlier: “ODNR has known there’s been a problem regarding these injection wells for a very long time.... And the real question is, why does it take a whole community of people organizing around an issue?” www.wtap.com/2026/07/11/o...

ODNR: Four injection wells cease operations amid brine migration concerns

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says four injection wells in Washington County have stopped operating.

wtap.com

HAZMAT Specialist and BEN board member Silverio Caggiano said “Unlike a lot of other radioactive materials, radium, once you get it in you, your system thinks it’s calcium.... And it stays there for 1,300 years. It’ll remain radioactive,” www.wpxi.com/news/local/r...

Reports of radioactive material near the Montour Trail bring conflicting claims

There are conflicting claims about radioactive material near the Montour Trail.

wpxi.com