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
Data Centers Not Welcome in Athens County Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 29, 2026 Ohio Department of Natural Resources Seeks Public Comments on Proposed “No Change” Rules to Oil and Gas Administrative Code COLUMBUS, Ohio – On July 20th, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) opened a public comment period on nine rules the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (Division)
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 people provided testimony on draft data center policy proposed by Columbus City Council’s Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee Wednesday night. The community overwhelmingly called for a moratorium and stronger protections, with
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. The Problem Class II injection wells are used to dispose of liquid waste from oil and gas production. This waste, often called “brine,” comes up from fracked
Sixteen Months of Organizing. Four Wells Shut Down. Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COLUMBUS, OH, JULY 10, 2026 On Friday morning, Buckeye Environmental Network learned from a member of the news media that ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management has finally intervened in the injection well crisis brewing in Washington County, Ohio. A statement by Andy Chow, Chief of Communications at the division,
When we talk about protecting Ohio’s native forests, it can be hard to visualize what is actually at stake. In environmental advocacy, there is often a barrier between dense scientific data and the general public. The public is often left out of the conversation because the information is in complex spreadsheets, outdated management plans, and
See The Wayne National Forest Like Never Before with Our New Interactive Map Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2026 Contact: Cat Adams, cat.adams@benohio.org Freepoint Eco-Systems Pyrolysis Facility MUST Comply With Clean Air Act Incinerator Regulations – According to Ohio EPA Hebron, Licking County, Ohio – On April 28, the Ohio EPA formally notified Freepoint Eco-Systems that their Hebron plastic pyrolysis facility no longer qualifies as a recycling unit
Ohio Plastic Pyrolysis Facility Loses Recycling Status after New OH EPA Violation Read More »
The Marietta Unit, known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, provides critical habitat for Federally endangered species like the Indiana bat. Evidence of black bear, which is a state endangered species, has recently been found at Archers Fork, just a few miles southwest of some of the parcels slated for auction.
On August 29, 2025, Freepoint Eco-Systems Hebron quietly sent the Ohio EPA its Initial Compliance Status Report for the distillation unit at the company’s pyrolysis plant in Licking County, Ohio. This is standard practice: Freepoint Eco-Systems is required by the Ohio EPA to submit periodic reports to prove that they are complying with environmental standards. However, in this case, the report proved the opposite: Freepoint Eco-Systems was jeopardizing public health by violating its operating permit and federal air pollution requirements. The company was using unsanctioned pollution control technology to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from emissions from the distillation unit.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry (DOF) has scheduled three Open Houses in early September. The public is invited to attend to learn about the agency’s Annual Work Plan for State Forests. The Open Houses will be held at Division of Forestry District Offices in Athens on September 2, Chillicothe on September 3,
Public Input Opportunity: ODNR Division of Forestry Open Houses in September! Read More »
