Canadian wildfire smoke brought air quality alerts to the Midwest. Such episodes will grow more common as the earth warms, climate experts say.
Tag: Air Pollution
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, Frac Sand Rush, Government, Health & Welfare
Frac sand health fears rise as mining booms in Wisconsin
Like some other west-central Wisconsin residents, Frances and Dean Sayles are frustrated with the state Department of Natural Resources’ lack of a comprehensive approach to addressing concerns surrounding potential health problems from crystalline silica dust. Now some residents, academics, local government officials and even a frac sand producer have begun taking action.
Posted inEnvironment, Frac Sand Rush
New studies measure air, water impacts of frac sand mines
Competing studies are under way to assess air pollution from Wisconsin’s frac sand industry, and the author of one said current state law isn’t protecting people well enough. A separate study, meanwhile, will examine the impact of frac sand mines on water.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush, Government, Health & Welfare
Frac sand industry faces DNR violations, warnings
Nearly a fifth of Wisconsin’s 70 active frac sand mines and processing plants were cited for environmental violations last year, as the industry continued to expand at a rapid clip.
Posted inEnvironment, Frac Sand Rush
Frac sand mining and processing permits
A brief run-down of the permits required to open a frac sand mine or processing plant.
Posted inFrac Sand Rush, WisWatch Blog
Sand mines + air quality, tonight on Wisconsin Public Television
Wisconsin Public Television’s Frederica Freyberg will talk with University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire public health professor Crispin Pierce about the results of his study on air quality at mines around the state.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Health & Welfare
Under legal pressure, Wisconsin coal-fired power plants curb emissions
Dairyland and other Wisconsin coal-fired plants have begun lowering emissions, but not necessarily in response to demands by pollution regulators. Many of the changes have resulted from pressure and lawsuits brought by the nonprofit Sierra Club, which has campaigned for a decade to cut emissions from coal combustion. But enforcement is inconsistent, and some residents living in the shadow of coal plants are concerned their health may be affected.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Government
How a polluter gets stimulus money — and avoids environmental review
A state program helped Didion Milling win $5.6 million in stimulus funding to expand its Cambria milling and ethanol plant, which has a history of environmental violations.