Pattison Sand Co., which recently opened a site in Wisconsin, is facing concerns over the growth of its Iowa mine, which has a worst-in-the-nation safety record.
Category: Frac Sand Rush
Posted inFrac Sand Rush, WisWatch Blog
Podcast: How we animated Wisconsin’s frac sand rush
Center reporters Kate Golden and Taylor Chase and artist Jacob Berchem talk about their recent experiment in animating the news.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush, Government, Health & Welfare
12 Sandy GIFs: An animated guide to Wisconsin’s frac sand rush
The Center is known for its comprehensive coverage of frac sand mining. But let’s face it … our stories are long. So in the meantime here’s a quick introduction to the issues, from local control to dusty air.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush
As rail moves frac sand across Wisconsin landscape, new conflicts emerge
While the number of Wisconsin car-train accidents has remained relatively steady in recent years, and derailments actually are down, some residents who live near train tracks used for transporting sand, primarily in western and northwestern communities, complain about noise and traffic delays in addition to safety worries.
Posted inFrac Sand Rush, WisWatch Blog
Podcast: Head in the (frac) sand
Reporter Alison Dirr just finished a yearlong internship with us, during which she covered the sprawling beat of Wisconsin’s fast-growing frac sand industry. We talk about that in the latest podcast. And below the audio link, further reflections from Dirr. Also, we now have music for the podcast. Alison Dirr: After a year as WisconsinWatch’s […]
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush
Frac sand mines credited for rising, dropping property values
Accessible sand can bring a windfall for some landowners. Others worry that proximity to sand mines is bringing down the value of their homes. And in some communities, a safety net of sorts is emerging.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush, Government
New frac sand bill still divides
A legislative hearing Monday on a revised attempt to limit local governments’ authority to regulate nonmetallic mining, including existing frac sand mines, drew support from mining representatives but opposition from town leaders.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush
With frac sand boom in full swing, study to guide mine reclamation
Mining companies, Chippewa County and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls are teaming up on a $232,000, five-year study probing how the vast tracts of Wisconsin used for nonmetallic mining — including for frac sand — can best be reclaimed.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush, Government
Frac sand mining company faces $200,000 in water, air penalties
Frac sand mining company Preferred Sands of Wisconsin has been ordered to pay $200,000 for stormwater and air permit violations at its facility near Blair, a Trempealeau County city.
Posted inEconomy, Frac Sand Rush, Government, Health & Welfare
Glenwood City incumbents lead in recall elections sparked by frac sand
The mayor garnered a 43-vote margin Tuesday, while two city council members held onto razor-thin leads in Glenwood City recall elections sparked by controversy over a proposed frac sand mine.
Posted inEconomy, Frac Sand Rush, Government
City’s frac sand mine battle spurs recalls
In this small city in northwestern Wisconsin, the mayor and two council members are facing recall elections over their handling of a proposed frac sand mine that would be built a half-mile south of a school.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush, Government
Sand mining bill could also affect iron mine, factory farms
The impact of a controversial bill that would restrict local government regulation of frac sand mines might be broader than originally thought, affecting the proposed iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin and factory farms across the state, opponents said Thursday at a Capitol hearing.