Threats To The Ohio River Valley
Our region faces critical environmental threats from industrial developments that compromise our health, environment, and future. Ohio Valley Allies (OVA) is committed to educating and mobilizing communities to address these challenges head-on.
Fracking
Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves injecting high-pressure fluid underground to extract oil or gas from rock formations. This process has profound implications for local environments and communities and has been linked to a number of serious health issues for local residents.
Key concerns
Serious Health Impacts: Affects nearby residents, animals, and ecosystems.
Radioactivity : Numerous radioactive elements are brought up to the surface in Fracking. These can accumulate in the waste streams and brine creating high levels of radioactivity.
Water Usage and Contamination: High consumption and potential for groundwater and surface water contamination.
Induced Seismic Activity: Triggering of earthquakes due to high-pressure fluid injection.
Air Pollution: Emission of methane and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Exacerbating Climate Impacts: Contribution to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions.
Plastic
Petrochemical Expansion
Petrochemical facilities, including cracker plants and storage sites, pose significant risks to our health and environment due to their toxic emissions and the potential for catastrophic accidents. These developments not only pollute our air and water but also threaten the fabric of our communities by perpetuating environmental and economic injustices.
Key concerns
Health Risks: From toxic emissions and exposure to plastic products.
Air and Water Pollution: Contamination from production processes.
Long-term Environmental Impact: Persistent pollution due to plastic production.
Local Real Estate and Small Business Impact: Potential devaluation and negative effects on local economies.
Increase in Oil and Gas Production: Boosting fossil fuel dependency and associated environmental concerns.
Waste streams
From Oil and Gas Industry
The oil and gas, petrochemical, and plastic industries generate enormous waste streams that are often toxic and radioactive. Without legitimate and appropriate disposal methods, they use convoluted practices that frequently result in pollution impacting nearby communities. These waste streams include hazardous water, drilling byproducts, and solid and airborne toxins. Despite the severity of these issues, the public remains largely unaware or disconnected from the full scope of the problem, obscuring the environmental and health risks that these waste streams create.
Key concerns
Risk of Spills and Leaks: Potential for accidental releases during handling and transport.
Contamination of Surface and Groundwater: Threats to water quality from improper disposal.
Inadequate Regulatory Oversight: Lack of stringent disposal practices, posing risks to human and environmental health.
Hydrogen
And Carbon Capture
Hydrogen is being marketed as a "clean" energy solution, but the reality is far more complex. Projects like the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub rely on fracked gas to produce hydrogen, tying them directly to the natural gas industry. This process is energy-intensive and creates significant CO2 emissions. The supposed solution—carbon capture—is an expensive, unproven technology being sold as a fix. Ultimately, these projects act as a lifeline for dirtier industries, bolstering fossil fuels under the guise of being green.
Key concerns
Project Expenses: Costs passed to Appalachian families via utility bills or taxes.
Temporary Job Creation: Only a short-term increase in construction jobs, without addressing long-term job and population loss in the region.
Continued Reliance on Fracking: Maintains dependency on fracking, associated with health impacts like cancer and birth defects.
Risks of Carbon Storage: Experimental technology posing threats of water contamination, pipeline ruptures, and induced seismic activity. Additionally, the full spectrum of potential problems remains unknown, warranting greater caution.
Addressing These Threats
OVA works tirelessly to monitor these developments, advocate for stricter regulations, and support communities in the Ohio River Valley and beyond. Through education, advocacy, and direct action, we aim to halt the harmful expansion of petrochemical operations, ensure responsible handling of oil and gas wastewater, and challenge the proliferation of fracking. Join us as we strive for a sustainable, healthy future for our region and beyond.
Learn how you can help and become involved in the movement here
OHIO VALLEY ALLIES
©2023 by Ohio Valley Allies.