Sandstorm of Business - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

"Frac Free Zone" proposed along stretch of Pepin County highway

On the eve of the unofficial start of summer, a unique proposal to protect tourism. That proposal is for a "Frac Free Zone" in Pepin County. More>>

Moratorium ends; New frac sand mine proposed

A new frac sand mine is being proposed for western Wisconsin. More>>

Wis. candidates got $758K from sand, gas industry

A new report says the sand mining and natural gas industries have given Wisconsin candidates nearly $758,000 dollars since 2007, with contributions spiking last year as sand mining took off in the state. More>>

Wis. budget committee to review sand mining plan

Wisconsin's budget-writing committee is scheduled to review provisions in Gov. Scott Walker's spending plan that would pull money from the state's environmental management fund to cover sand mining inspections. More>>

New frac sand study unveiled

There's new voice in the debate and dissecting of frac sand in western Wisconsin and it comes from Montana. More>>

Chippewa County says no, for now, to air quality study of frac sand

For now, a local county will not study air quality as it relates to frac sand mining. Many citizens have raised concerns about fine particles emitted from sand mining operations. More>>

Schools receive grants from sand company

Area schools are getting a financial boost from a company known for its frac sand. More>>

City center to host public hearing on frac sand plans

A special meeting will be held this week about a sand mining proposal. More>>

New frac sand legislation is in the works

The right to know is at the heart of new frac sand legislation. More>>

Sand mining facility ordered to move stockpile

A western Wisconsin sand mining facility has reopened after being shut down for about a week. More>>

Mining company denied in Eau Claire County

The Bridge Creek Town Board voted 5-0 to reject the mining license for Five Star Telecom Properties on Thursday. More>>

Some Chippewa Falls residents tired of early-morning train whistles

Train traffic has picked up because of the demand for frac sand. The city of Chippewa Falls is now looking into creating a quiet zone. More>>

Dozens speak out about proposed Bridge Creek sand mine

It was standing room only Monday night during a public forum about plans for a new sand mine in Eau Claire County. More>>

Citizen tip leads to DNR wastewater investigation

The DNR has put a frac sand company on notice. More>>

Sand Speculation: What goes into a contract between a company and landowner

Applications for new frac sand mines may be leveling off, but that doesn't mean the search for sand is. More>>

Company reaching high to deliver frac sand

A new, mile-long conveyor in Augusta looks like a makeshift roller coaster ride. The only thing getting on it is sand. More>>

Sandstorm of BusinessMore>>
Northern - Muskie deal: Site plan submitted for frac sand transloading site
Northern - Muskie deal: Site plan submitted for frac sand transloading site
Town of Wheaton (WQOW) - It won't be long before a frac sand transfer station is up and running in Chippewa County. Muskie Proppant recently reached a deal with Northern Crossarm in the Town of Wheaton.More >>
It won't be long before a frac sand transfer station is up and running in Chippewa County.More >>
First vote on frac sand stands; Proposal now goes to county board
First vote on frac sand stands; Proposal now goes to county board
Black River Falls (WQOW) - A Jackson County zoning committee stood by its first vote and chose not to reconsider a request about frac sand. Coulee Frac Sand wants to mine in the Town of Franklin. InMore >>
A Jackson County zoning committee stood by its first vote and chose not to reconsider a request about frac sand.More >>
School board approves non-binding resolution on frac sand
School board approves non-binding resolution on frac sand
Augusta (WQOW) - A local school board takes a stand on frac sand. Monday night, the Augusta School Board approved a non-binding resolution that opposes frac sand mining or processing within five milesMore >>
A local school board takes a stand on frac sand.More >>
Air analysis: DNR to examine data from EOG's monitors
Air analysis: DNR to examine data from EOG's monitors
Chippewa County (WQOW) - One of the largest oil and gas companies in the U.S. is hoping new air monitors in Chippewa County will help clear the air about concerns over silica dust. On Monday, WQOW NewsMore >>
One of the largest oil and gas companies in the U.S. is hoping new air monitors in Chippewa County will help clear the air about concerns over silica dust.More >>
New frac sand moratorium comes with $1 million penalty for ignoring it
New frac sand moratorium comes with $1 million penalty for ignoring it
St. Croix County (WQOW) - If hearing about a moratorium wasn't enough for a potential sand mining company to think twice, the language of that moratorium will be. A town in St. Croix County will fineMore >>
If hearing about a moratorium wasn't enough for a potential sand mining company to think twice, the language of that moratorium will be.More >>
Possible pipeline project in western Wisconsin tied to frac sand
Possible pipeline project in western Wisconsin tied to frac sand
Western Wisconsin (WQOW) - The parent company for We Energies is considering a major investment in western Wisconsin, due in large part to the demand for frac sand. Gale Klappa, Wisconsin Energy CEO,More >>
The parent company for We Energies is considering a major investment in western Wisconsin, due in large part to the demand for frac sand.More >>
Sandstorm of Business: An Incomplete Picture
Sandstorm of Business: An Incomplete Picture
(WQOW News 18 tracked western Wisconsin's frac sand to North Dakota. This is the third in a series of reports.) Western North Dakota (WQOW) - Mining has been part of Wisconsin's history for generations,More >>
The image of an open flame at a new well might be symbolic of the Bakken oil rush.More >>
Sandstorm of Business: Badgers in the Bakken
Sandstorm of Business: Badgers in the Bakken
(WQOW News 18 tracked western Wisconsin's frac sand to North Dakota. This is the second in a series of reports.) Western North Dakota (WQOW) - Western Wisconsin's sand is old, perhaps 500 million yearsMore >>
A former waiter in Eau Claire talks about how his life has changed since he took a job in the oil fields of western North Dakota.More >>
County board approves moratorium extension
County board approves moratorium extension
Buffalo County (WQOW) - A moratorium on frac sand mining has been extended. On Tuesday night, the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors voted 9-3 to give the moratorium another six months. That will takeMore >>
A moratorium on frac sand mining has been extended.More >>
Public hearing on frac sand transfer facility
Public hearing on frac sand transfer facility
Eau Claire (WQOW) - An overflow crowd packs city hall as the frac sand debate has landed in Eau Claire. Frac sand has been a hot topic in western Wisconsin for a few years, but there hasn't been a bigMore >>
An overflow crowd packs city hall as the frac sand debate has landed in Eau Claire.More >>
County denies permits: Frac sand company responds to rejection
County denies permits: Frac sand company responds to rejection
Buffalo County (WQOW) - A frac sand company says it's deeply disappointed with last night's vote in buffalo county. On Wednesday night, the county's board of adjustment denied permits for the GlacierMore >>
A frac sand company says it's deeply disappointed with a vote in Buffalo County.More >>
Gas leak at sand mine leads to evacuation
Gas leak at sand mine leads to evacuation
Blair (WQOW) - About 20 people were evacuated Tuesday morning after a gas leak at a sand mine. It happened at Preferred Sands in Blair. Police say an end loader dug too deep and hit a gas main. No oneMore >>
About 20 people were evacuated Tuesday morning after a gas leak at a sand mine.More >>
Return of the railroad raises safety concerns
Return of the railroad raises safety concerns
Barron (WQOW)- Frac sand is breathing new life into an old railroad. But with that come concerns about children's safety. "We need to make our children safe, period," says Barron resident Joan Bradford. AfterMore >>
Frac sand is breathing new life into an old railroad. But with that come concerns about children's safety.More >>

More Sandstorm of BusinessMore>>
Recall election tied to frac sand controversy
Recall election tied to frac sand controversy
Barron County (WQOW) - A town supervisor has survived a recall. James Crotteau is on the Town of Sumner Board. That's in Barron County. He was the target of a recall because of his stance on frac sandMore >>
A town supervisor has survived a recall.More >>
Seasonal shutdown of mine comes earlier than expected
Seasonal shutdown of mine comes earlier than expected
Chippewa County (WQOW) - The work at a local sand mine has stopped until next year. The Preferred Sands LaGesse mine wrapped up production for the year very early. That mine is in the Town of Cooks Valley.More >>
The work at a local sand mine has stopped until next year. More >>
New sand mine approved in Chippewa County
New sand mine approved in Chippewa County
Auburn town board gives the green light to a developer's agreement with Taylor Creek Transit.

More >>
Auburn town board gives the green light to a developer's agreement with Taylor Creek Transit.More >>
Plan from Glacier Sands on Ice? Board opposes permits for project
Sand proposal could mean close proximity to local school
Buffalo County (WQOW) - Another day, another important meeting about frac sand mining. Tuesday's meeting was a bit different than most... Because of where this sand plant would go. Glacier Sands has aMore >>
A Buffalo County board denied the conditional use permits for the project after a meeting that lasted more than six hours on Tuesday.More >>
EPA responds to health department's request about crystalline silica
EPA responds to health department's request about crystalline silica
The federal government says it has no plans to conduct a new health assessment for respirable crystalline silica.More >>
The federal government says it has no plans to conduct a new health assessment for respirable crystalline silica.More >>
Lawmakers question road contracts with frac sand companies
Lawmakers question road contracts with frac sand companies
Two area lawmakers call frac sand mining an "economic powerhouse in the region" and then question a county highway department about how it's handling the businesses behind it.More >>
Two area lawmakers call frac sand mining an "economic powerhouse in the region" and then question a county highway department about how it's handling the businesses behind it.More >>
UPDATE: Government releases more information about air quality violations
UPDATE: Government releases more information about air quality violations
Chippewa Falls (WQOW) - A sand plant makes changes to enhance worker safety after a federal government citation. A few months ago, EOG was cited over air quality inside its Chippewa Falls sand plant.More >>
New details about air quality violations have been provided in light of a recent citation at a Chippewa Falls sand plant.More >>
Value of Dunn County sand plant doubles
Value of Dunn County sand plant doubles
Dunn County (WQOW) - The value of a local plant is increasing and one town might use the added revenue to cover the cost of extra elections. Property owned by Fairmount Minerals in Dunn County was assessedMore >>
The value of a local plant is increasing and one town might use the added revenue to cover the cost of extra elections.More >>
Local city gets more than $1 million through sand plant tax revenue
Local city gets more than $1 million through sand plant tax revenue
Chippewa Falls (WQOW)- Tax revenue from frac sand could help one city make downtown improvements. The city of Chippewa Falls will receive more money than it thought from EOG in property taxes. The cityMore >>
Tax revenue from frac sand could help one city make downtown improvements. The city of Chippewa Falls will receive more money than it thought from EOG in property taxes.More >>
Recommendation to extend sand mining moratorium
Recommendation to extend sand mining moratorium
Dunn County (WQOW) - A Dunn County committee, looking into sand mining, is hoping to buy more time. On Tuesday, the Dunn County Planning, Resources and Development Committee voted 5-0 to recommend extendingMore >>
A Dunn County committee, looking into sand mining, is hoping to buy more time.More >>