Michael O’Brien was born on October 2, 1944, and currently resides in Doddridge County, West Virginia. Raised by a government meat inspector, O’Brien moved frequently between southern Florida and Virginia, finishing high school in the latter. After high school, he moved to Baltimore to live with his grandmother, hoping to find better opportunities. He spent ten years in Baltimore but ultimately sought a simpler life. O’Brien met his wife, Nancy, during his time in Baltimore.

Theodore Stump was born on April 7, 1949, and grew up in southern New Jersey. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware. During his early years, he worked in various factories, including General Motors. In 1978, he relocated to West Virginia as part of the rural revival of the 1970s. Attracted by the promise of free gas, he moved to Doddridge County, where he quickly learned about the separation of land and mineral rights. Stump became involved in the local landowners’ association and began advocating for the rights of landowners against gas extraction companies.

The interview with Tina Del Prete and Mirijana Beram, conducted by Carrie Kline on November 4, 2013, provides a firsthand account of the impact of industrial changes on their hometown and the resulting environmental and health concerns. Tina Del Prete shares her experiences growing up in Penns Grove, New Jersey, and the subsequent decline of the town following industrial shifts, particularly the effects of fracking.