The link is dynamic and it will change quickly, but at 10:48 a.m., January 8, the fracking sand story was one of the top ten headline stories at USA Today.
The by-line is from "fracking sand central" -- Chippewa Falls, WI, which I have blogged about several times. I haven't read the article, but I can imagine the spin. Perhaps I will be wrong.
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – The rolling hills and scenic bluffs of western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota hide a valuable resource that has sparked what's been called a modern-day gold rush.Yup, here it is; I was not wrong. After that opening paragraph, this:
The object of desire is not gold but a soft sandstone needed by drilling companies to unlock underground natural gas and oil supplies in a controversial practice called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.The first individual to be quoted is a retired school teacher, principal, and anti-sand mining activist.
Largely overlooked in the national debate over fracking is the emerging fight in the U.S. heartland over mining "frac sand," which has grains of ideal size, shape, strength and purity. Mining companies say the work provides good jobs in rural areas, but some residents fear the increase in mining could harm human health and the environment.
"More and more people are waking up to the fact that there are difficulties with this massive explosion," said Pat Popple, a retired school teacher and principal and anti-sand mining activist.
An expert, no doubt, on the subject. And so it goes.
The nice thing about all this. I can guarantee that Chippewa Falls is not the only place where fracking sand is found and if "they" don't want, alternatives will be found. Wow.
I assume the story will be picked up by the Dickinson Press.
Speaking of which the Press has picked up this story, which I have not found elsewhere, although to be fair, I haven't looked very hard.
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