Exposure

Exposure Episode 13- Clean Seas in West Virginia


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What happens when a plastics pyrolysis facility is proposed right across from a high school?

In this episode of Exposure, co-hosts Jill Hunkler and Stuart Day sit down with Andrew Early, staff attorney at Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, to break down the proposed Clean Seas facility in Belle, West Virginia.

We cover:

What pyrolysis actually is — and why many experts consider it a form of incineration

The timeline of Clean Seas' permit applications (including its recent air permit filing)

Rumors in the community about waste stockpiling, and why location matters

How these facilities try to avoid stricter federal regulations

The risks of building near schools and vulnerable communities

The long legacy of chemical pollution in the Kanawha Valley

This conversation dives deep into the legal loopholes, public health risks, and community pushback shaping the future of the Ohio River Valley.

📌 Learn more about Fair Shake: https://www.fairshake-els.org

📌 Support Ohio Valley Allies: https://www.ohiovalleyallies.org/

#ExposurePodcast #EnvironmentalJustice #Plastics #Pyrolysis #WestVirginia #CleanAirAct

Disclaimer: Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Exposure Studios. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates.

Our mission is to investigate and document the public impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We operate under the protections of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, particularly in our role as journalists critically examining matters of public concern, including government oversight, regulatory failure, and systemic accountability.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes, and to support public dialogue around necessary government action and intervention. We do not endorse unlawful activity or calls for individual action beyond civic engagement and lawful advocacy.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are grounded in publicly available records, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or verified journalistic research. Where critical claims or allegations are made, we strive to provide accurate context and sourcing.

As a platform committed to transparency and accuracy, we welcome feedback and corrections. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected]. We will review concerns promptly and, if warranted, issue a correction.

While Exposure covers high-stakes and often controversial topics, we do so as independent journalists focused on exposing breakdowns in public oversight and the consequences for communities. Our work is grounded in the pursuit of truth, public accountability, and the broader public interest—not in service to any political party, protest tactic, or private agenda.

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ExposureBy Jill Hunkler and Stuart Day