The Unseen Frontline: A Contractor's View of the Buckeye Environmental Network's Fight Against Fracking

 Having worked as a contractor to support the Buckeye Environmental Network (BEN), I gained an intimate look into the tireless and often underappreciated work of grassroots environmentalism in Ohio. The fight against big oil fracking in southeastern Ohio isn't a headline-grabbing story with easy victories; it's a grinding, deeply personal battle fought house by house, well by well. The work I did—helping to promote their initiatives—gave me a front-row seat to the resilience of a community and the dedication of an organization that refuses to back down, led by the late former Director Teresa Mills. This isn't just a story about politics and pollution; it's about the soul of a community fighting for its right to a clean and healthy home.

The reality of fracking in places like Athens, Noble, and Washington counties is far from the industry's polished image. In these rural, often Appalachian communities, the promise of economic prosperity often rings hollow in the face of contaminated water, polluted air, and the industrialization of once-pristine landscapes. My work involved amplifying the voices of those directly affected, translating their very real fears and observations into compelling narratives. These weren't activists in the abstract; they were farmers worried about their livestock, grandparents concerned for their grandchildren, and long-time residents watching their quiet corners of the world turn into industrial zones.

BEN, originally the Buckeye Forest Council, has a long history of protecting Ohio's natural heritage, starting with its forests. With the rise of deep-shale drilling and fracking in the 2010s, the organization pivoted to confront this new, more pervasive threat. From my position, I saw how BEN served as a crucial nerve center, led by former Director Teresa Mills as she tirelessly answered community calls to help organize, research, and market legislative initiatives from the ground up. Local groups, such as the Athens County Fracking Action Network (ACFAN) and Torch Can Do!, were the boots on the ground, and BEN provided them with the technical assistance, data, and organizing support they needed to be effective. It was a network of solidarity, linking fledgling activists with seasoned organizers, all united by a common purpose.

Former Director Teresa Mills was a formidable environmental justice advocate and a central figure in the Buckeye Environmental Network (BEN) for many years. She co-founded BEN and served as its executive director, dedicating decades to empowering communities against toxic pollution and corporate polluters.

Before tackling fracking, her activism began with the successful leadership of a community campaign to shut down the Columbus garbage incinerator, later identified as the country's largest dioxin emitter. This early victory established her reputation as a tenacious and effective grassroots leader.

As fracking spread across Ohio, Mills shifted BEN's focus to combating the industry's harms, particularly those associated with toxic injection wells. Her work involved providing technical assistance and organizing support to fledgling activist groups in southeastern Ohio, helping them challenge the placement of dangerous waste disposal sites. Mills was renowned for her profound understanding of toxic chemicals and her unwavering dedication to empowering people to find their voice in advocating for a safer, cleaner environment. In 2017, she was honored with the Appalachian Advocate Award for her dedication to the well-being of the region's communities. Her powerful legacy lives on through the communities she empowered and the work and communities that BEN continues to advocate for against pollution.

A primary focus of BEN's work—and a significant part of my contracting—was opposing toxic injection wells. These wells serve as disposal sites for the billions of gallons of radioactive and chemical-laden wastewater produced by the fracking process. In southeastern Ohio, the landscape is dotted with these wells, threatening to contaminate underground water sources and drinking wells. Through grassroots outreach, BEN empowered local citizens with the information and tools to challenge the siting of these wells in their communities. It was a fight against a seemingly insurmountable foe, as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) was often perceived as lax in enforcing regulations. Yet, I saw firsthand the determination of residents who, with BEN's guidance, navigated complex legal and bureaucratic processes to protect their homes.

One of the most powerful strategies I helped with was promoting BEN's "Right to Know" campaign. The organization highlighted Ohio's noncompliance with federal laws requiring companies to report the use of toxic chemicals, prompting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to intervene. This work was about more than just data; it was about transparency and accountability. Communities had a right to know what chemicals were being pumped into the ground near their homes, and BEN made sure that right was not ignored.

The work I did was not always a straightforward, linear path to success, and it mainly focused on writing as a Communications Specialist. There were setbacks—for every auction of public land for fracking that was blocked, another would be approved. The frustrating reality was that the fight was more about containment than a clear victory. But what I observed was that the goal wasn't just to stop every well; it was to empower people. By giving citizens the knowledge and tools to hold the industry and government accountable, BEN was building something more lasting than a single lawsuit win. They were cultivating a culture of informed, engaged, and resilient citizenship.

Looking back, my time as a contractor for BEN was a lesson in the power of grassroots organizing. It demonstrated that while big oil may have vast resources, it can be countered by the collective will of determined communities. The people of southeastern Ohio, with the crucial support of the Buckeye Environmental Network, showed me that a fight isn't over just because it's difficult. It continues in community meetings, over kitchen tables, and in the persistent, powerful voice of citizens demanding a healthy future for their homes and their children. The fight against fracking is ongoing, but the foundation of resistance built by BEN and its community partners is a legacy that will endure.