A new report says domestic oil exploration is expected to cause "extreme" demand for frack sand in western Wisconsin in coming years.

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An environmental law firm has asked federal regulators to reject air permits the state Department of Natural Resources has granted for sand mines in western Wisconsin.

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Opponents of the region's growing silica sand mining industry are preparing to convene a "citizens summit" in Winona on Saturday.

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Minnesota plans to release a draft set of model standards Friday to help communities struggling to regulate the boom in mining for silica sand, which oil and gas drillers use for hydraulic fracturing.

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State senators are leaning toward halting new silica sand mines while the state studies the health and environmental costs of the booming industry.

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Minnesota lawmakers began drilling into the state's silica sand mining Tuesday with hours of testimony from advocates and opponents, the first phase of a potential fight over what role the state should play in overseeing the booming industry.

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Wabasha's City Council has upheld a conditional-use permit for planned silica sand transfer facility without an environmental review, but it has also called for an environmental review of a smaller plant that wants to expand.

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Citizens are debating whether Winona County should put the brakes on frac sand mining.

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