What happens when oil and gas waste is exempt from hazardous-waste regulation—but may still meet the definition of a hazardous material when it is transported through our communities?

In this episode of Exposure, we sit down with Megan Hunter, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice, for a wide-ranging conversation about oil and gas waste, radioactive materials, injection wells, environmental enforcement, and the role communities can play in holding industry and regulators accountable.

Megan explains an important distinction at the center of recent work with Truckers Movement for Justice: the federal hazardous-waste exemption for certain oil and gas wastes does not necessarily mean those materials are exempt from Department of Transportation hazardous-material requirements.

We also examine growing concerns surrounding Class II injection wells and the underground disposal of oil and gas wastewater. Megan discusses documented migration concerns, increasing pressure around disposal wells, actions taken by Ohio regulators when underground sources of drinking water may be endangered, and why the idea that wastewater is simply being "put back where it came from" can be misleading.

In this episode:

• How environmental laws often rely on self-reporting and self-classification
• Radioactive materials associated with oil and gas waste
• The experiences of workers transporting oilfield waste
• Injection-well pressure and wastewater migration
• Potential threats to groundwater and drinking-water sources
• Community efforts in southeastern Ohio to challenge injection-well expansion
• The connection between produced water, oil and gas development, and the rapidly expanding data-center industry
• The imbalance of resources communities can face when taking environmental disputes into the legal system
• Why public-interest environmental attorneys can provide an important tool for communities seeking accountability

Megan also reflects on the limitations of an adversarial legal system in which corporations may have enormous legal and financial resources while affected residents and community organizations often have comparatively little—and why litigation can nevertheless remain one of the last avenues available for communities seeking justice.

Exposure examines the systems, industries, policies, and decisions shaping life throughout the Ohio Valley—and the people working to understand and challenge them.

Learn more about Ohio Valley Allies:
https://ohiovalleyallies.org/

Subscribe for more investigations, interviews, and reporting from Exposure.

#Fracking #InjectionWells #ProducedWater #OilAndGas #EnvironmentalJustice #Earthjustice #OhioValley #RadioactiveWaste #WaterPollution #DataCenters

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to expose the truth behind these industries' operations and consequences using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

Former Fairmont Brine operations manager Sean Guthrie sits down for his first long-form interview about working at one of West Virginia's most controversial oilfield waste facilities.

Sean describes what he believed the facility was doing, how the operation worked, the Kentucky TENORM disposal incident, worker safety practices, and the questions he began asking after learning more about the radioactive components of fracking waste years after the plant closed.

The episode also features archival footage from investigative journalist Justin Nobel and microbiologist Dr. Yuri Gorby during their investigation of the abandoned Fairmont Brine site, including Geiger counter readings and field observations.

This interview reflects Sean Guthrie's firsthand experiences and recollections. Where claims involve historical events, regulatory actions, or technical information, supporting documentation and source materials are provided below.

Sources & Further Reading

• Justin Nobel, Petroleum-238 (2024)

• Rolling Stone / Truthdig investigative reporting by Justin Nobel on Fairmont Brine

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Fairmont Brine Removal Site

• EPA Removal Administrative Record – Fairmont Brine Site

• Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet enforcement records regarding the Blue Ridge Landfill TENORM disposal case

• West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection records related to Fairmont Brine

If you have firsthand knowledge, documents, or experiences related to Fairmont Brine or radioactive oilfield waste, we'd like to hear from you.

Special thanks for the archival footage provided by Collin Sheehy, director of Photography - Pittsburghcamera.com

Disclaimer:
Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

Artificial intelligence is driving one of the largest infrastructure expansions in decades, and Pennsylvania has become a major target for new data center development.

In this extended conversation, we sit down with Karen Feridun, co-founder of Berks Gas Truth and Better Path Coalition, to discuss what this rapid buildout could mean for communities across the Commonwealth.

From electricity demand and natural gas to local zoning, water use, and economic development, we explore many of the questions surrounding the state's growing role in powering the AI economy.

Whether you believe data centers represent an opportunity, a challenge, or something in between, this conversation offers additional context and perspective on one of Pennsylvania's most consequential infrastructure debates.

We cover:

Why Pennsylvania has become attractive for AI data centers
The relationship between data centers, electricity, and natural gas
Local control and land-use concerns
Community engagement and public participation
The opportunities and tradeoffs of large-scale AI infrastructure

What role should Pennsylvania play in the AI revolution? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

If you enjoy conversations like this, please consider subscribing to Exposure for more long-form interviews exploring energy, public health, science, policy, and the future of Appalachia.

Ohio Valley Allies (OVA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, transparency, and community engagement on environmental and public health issues affecting the Ohio Valley.

Disclaimer:
Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#Exposure #Texas #Petrochemicals #LNG #Ammonia #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityScience #AirQuality #WaterCrisis #IndustrialDevelopment #CoastalWatch #TexasCoast #OhioValleyAllies

Three years later, many East Palestine residents are still asking the same question: What happened to our water?

In this conversation, Yale researcher Dr. Nicole Deziel provides an update on the Yale Water Study which was designed to assess the potential long-term impact of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment in East Palestine OH, what researchers have learned so far, and how a sophisticated hydrology model is being developed to better understand how contaminants may have moved through the environment following the derailment and vent-and-burn operation.

Join the study here - https://research.uky.edu/environment/east-palestine-health-research/water-research-project

We discuss:

• The current status of the Yale Water Study
• How the drinking water survey is being used
• The hydrology model and what it can (and cannot) tell us
• How researchers are identifying potential gaps in existing testing
• The relationship between the Yale Water Study and the larger East Palestine Health Research Program
• Study funding and scientific independence
• What residents can realistically expect from the research
• How this work could help communities facing future environmental disasters

This conversation is intended to provide transparency, answer common community questions, and give residents a better understanding of the research currently underway.

#EastPalestine #TrainDerailment #Yale #NicoleDeziel #WaterStudy #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealth #Ohio #Pennsylvania #ExposurePodcast #OhioValleyAllies #EnvironmentalScience #DrinkingWater #Research

Ohio Valley Allies (OVA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, transparency, and community engagement on environmental and public health issues affecting the Ohio Valley.

Disclaimer:
Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#Exposure #Texas #Petrochemicals #LNG #Ammonia #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityScience #AirQuality #WaterCrisis #IndustrialDevelopment #CoastalWatch #TexasCoast #OhioValleyAllies

What happens when a small coastal community finds itself surrounded by some of the largest oil, gas, LNG, and petrochemical facilities in North America?

In this episode of Exposure, we sit down with Rhianna Scott and Payton Campbell of the Coastal Watch Association, a Texas-based organization working to monitor industrial expansion, track environmental permits, conduct community air monitoring, and help residents understand what is happening in their own backyard.

From proposed blue ammonia facilities and carbon dioxide pipelines to air quality concerns, water shortages, and the challenges of keeping communities informed, this conversation explores the realities of life on one of America's industrial frontlines.

The discussion also examines how permit processes work, why public participation matters, and what happens when local residents organize to engage with decisions that may affect their health, environment, and future.

Coastal Watch Association has become a growing voice for transparency, community science, and public engagement along the Texas Coastal Bend. Their work offers a unique look at how ordinary citizens can become deeply involved in understanding and responding to large-scale industrial development.

Learn more about Coastal Watch Association:
https://www.iobcwa.org/

Follow Exposure:
https://www.ohiovalleyallies.org

Disclaimer:
Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#Exposure #Texas #Petrochemicals #LNG #Ammonia #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityScience #AirQuality #WaterCrisis #IndustrialDevelopment #CoastalWatch #TexasCoast #OhioValleyAllies

For years we were told the digital economy was clean. Our digital lives have been increasingly moved to "the cloud." But there is no cloud. There are only buildings, power plants, transmission lines, substations, water systems, and the physical infrastructure required to support an increasingly digital world.

As artificial intelligence accelerates, for the first time we are being confront with the physical footprint of our digital world and communities across the United States are being asked to absorb the consequences of an unprecedented buildout of hyperscale data centers. These projects require enormous amounts of land, electricity, water, and public infrastructure. Yet many of the conversations surrounding AI focus almost entirely on software, automation, and the future of work while ignoring the physical reality being built on the ground.

In this episode of Exposure Points, Stuart Day explores the hidden costs of the AI boom and asks whether society is fully accounting for the impacts of these massive developments. Who benefits? Who bears the costs? How much influence should local communities have over projects that can fundamentally reshape their landscapes, economies, and public resources?

From energy demand and water consumption to tax incentives, zoning, democratic accountability, and the concentration of power, this episode examines the questions many communities are beginning to ask as data center development spreads across the country.

This is not an argument against technology. It is an argument for transparency, accountability, and informed public participation in decisions that may shape the future for generations.

Joining Stuart is Karen Feridun of the Better Path Coalition - https://www.betterpathcoalition.org/
Support independent journalism at https://www.exposurestudios.org

Disclaimer:
Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#fracking
#trucking
#OhioRiverValley
#Appalachia
#PublicHealth
#datacenters #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CloudComputing #EnergyInfrastructure #Technology #EconomicDevelopment #EnvironmentalHealth #Democracy #Infrastructure #ExposurePoints #ExposureStudios

Tom McKnight spent years working in the oil and gas industry—hauling condensate, crude, and waste, and cleaning up well sites during some of the most intense phases of production.

He liked the work. He made good money. He took pride in being part of it.

But when radiation risks came up in training, he says he was told it was "no more than a cell phone." Years later, after repeated exposure to brine, sludge, and dust—often without proper protective equipment—Tom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

In this episode, Tom walks through:

What daily work on active well pads actually looks like
How exposure happens in routine tasks most people never see
The culture inside the industry during its rapid expansion
What workers were—and weren't—told about risk
What should change to better protect the people doing the job

This is not a simple "for or against" conversation. It's a firsthand account from someone who lived it.

About Exposure:
Exposure is an investigative and editorial podcast produced in partnership with Ohio Valley Allies. We document the human, environmental, and economic impacts of extractive industries through interviews, research, and storytelling.

If you found this conversation valuable:
Subscribe, share, and help us reach more people.

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org
for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#fracking
#trucking
#OhioRiverValley
#Appalachia
#PublicHealth