Should lawmakers create a statewide standard for frac sand mining?
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
In hydraulic fracturing, a sand made from quartz rock plentiful in our region is blasted into shale rock to extract oil and natural gas. Skyrocketing demand for frac sand, a key ingredient in North Dakota's energy boom, is creating a gold rush in the hills of southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin.
Local communities have regulated the practice for years, but now state lawmakers are questioning the ability of local governments to manage the process effectively. Today's Question: Should lawmakers create a statewide standard for frac sand mining?
Support Local News
When breaking news happens, MPR News provides the context you need. Help us meet the significant demands of these newsgathering efforts.