Anti-fracking advocates in Ohio are stepping up their game against the energy giants and politicians who residents claim have ignored their petitions, letters and protests.
Member of Appalachia Resist have been using traditional methods of protest against the oil and gas industry for years. Yet, according to a group of members who gathered Nov. 2 to regroup, they haven’t seen any success — and the stakes are getting higher.
Now, they’re turning to direct action to halt the fracking industry, pledging a nonviolent but physical approach to directly interrupt fracking well pads and injection well sites.
“Direct action is unmediated by politicians, people of power,” community organizer Cusi Ballew said. “You’re forcing those [in power] to give you a seat at the table.”
While the group has indicated they’ll remain nonviolent, it hasn’t ruled out obstruction and equipment interruption, which has been a cornerstone of the strategy to halt fracking-related companies in the state.
In 2012, an Ohio woman was arrested for chaining herself to a fracking wastewater injection well. The woman, and others who joined in protest, were calling on the state’s Department of Natural Resources to test injection wells, which are used to store toxic fracking wastewater from well pads throughout the Marcellus Shale formation.
“Property destruction can be a useful tactic,” Ballew said.
As of August, the state had more than 240 active fracking fluid injection wells. The wells are used to dispose of toxic fracking wastewater comprised of silica sand, traces of natural gas, carcinogenic chemicals and water. The injection wells are often repurposed oil wells, which concerns area residents that old pipes would leak toxic fluid into the groundwater.
In February, more than 100 anti-fracking advocates blocked access to GreenHunter fracking wastewater facilities. Ten protesters were arrested after blocking the facilities for five hours.
None of the protesters arrested were part of Appalachia Resist, but members of that organization said they supported those who sacrificed themselves to block fracking wastewater from entering the facility — and ultimately the ground.
Other members of the community, including business owners, also supported the February action, claiming the industry could pose a serious threat to the environment and health of area residents.
“I fully support what they are doing,” Christine Hughes, owner of Village Bakery and Cafe, told the Ohio Post. “This is about making sure citizens’ voices are heard. Going through the government is not doing anything.”