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The event was sponsored by the Athens County Fracking Action Network.

 

Group organizer Christine Hughes says the network is interested in getting information to the public.

 

"Mostly, we have education forums where we bring in speakers from places where fracking has already taken place to learn about the different effects of fracking," said Hughes.

 

Hughes says while the network is mainly a planning group, they can offer the public other resources. Wednesday night's panel of speakers included a hydrogeochemical engineer, a paralegal with experience in extraction issues and a representative from the Center for Health, Environment and Justice.

 

"We're mostly the organizing group, so our meetings are mostly these public forums, but there are other groups people can sign up for to learn more topical info which is coming in basically everyday," said Hughes.

 

The OU Institute for Applied and Professional Ethics also played a role in the event.

 

Alyssa Bernstein is the director of that group and says they focus on the local impacts of a national issue.

 

"The issues relating to fracking are of great importance to the entire country, but we've been paying close attention to the local impacts," said Bernstein.

 

Attendees last night heard from three speakers about how disposal of liquids released during fracking can effect Southeast Ohio.