MPCA offers sand dust, diesel fume monitoring

The ongoing debate over whether the frac sand industry poses a health risk may have a new focal point: the roof of the Winona YMCA. It is that surface that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the city of Winona have selected as the best site for a possible air quality monitoring effort.

Winona County Board approves first frac sand mine

The Winona County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve the first frac sand mine in the county. Commissioners Marcia Ward, Wayne Valentine, and Steve Jacob voted for the mine's approval, while commissioners Greg Olson and Jim Pomeroy opposed the measure.

Read more in Winona Daily News.

In a first, Minnesota asks Winona County to assess risks of frac sand

In a critical test of Minnesota's approach to frac sand mining, two state agencies have called on Winona county to order an in-depth study of environmental and health risks associated with a cluster of proposed mines and processing sites.

Read more in Minneapolis Star Tribune.

MPCA: county must study EIS for frac sand mines

The Winona County Board received data on Tuesday from the state that suggest the county may have to require several proposed frac sand mines and a processing and transportation plant to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Read more in the Winona Post.