Wisconsin SB 1086 – Solar on sand mines
April 11th, 2022
Wisconsin folks, call your legislators! Support this bill!
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/
Why? Wisconsin has a “brownfield” bill, but Public Service Commissioners IGNORE the requirement that energy infrastructure be built on brownfields:
(d) Except as provided under par. (e), the commission shall approve an application filed under par. (a) 1. for a certificate of public convenience and necessity only if the commission determines all of the following:
8. For a large electric generating facility, brownfields, as defined in s. 238.13 (1) (a), are used to the extent practicable.
Despite this clear requirement, they acknowledge it, laugh about it, and dismiss it without consideration, and instead site on prime and protected agricultural land.
So YES! This, something I’ve been advocating for, for YEARS!
Winona County frac sand mining ban upheld
March 11th, 2020
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2014/07/silica-sand-washing-plant.jpg)
And the good news is… the Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld Winona County’s frac sand mining ban:
Check out the court’s rejection of Minnesota Sands’ takings claim, starting on p. 26.
TOMORROW – Silica Sand Tech Assistance Team Mtg.
January 4th, 2017
January 5, 2017 – 2:30pm
Silica Sand Technical Assistance Team Meeting
January 5th, 2017 @ 2:30pm in the DNR Central Office Lobby Conference Room.
Meet to discuss technical and agency updates to the EQB Tools to Assist Local Governments in Planning for and Regulating Silica Sand Projects, agency rulemaking updates, and updates on silica sand activities in the State of Minnesota
Conference call: 1-888-742-5095 | Conference Code: 3649223869#
Agenda:
1) Introductions
2) Agency updates on silica sand activities in the State of Minnesota
3) Technical and agency updates to EQB Tools to Assist Local Governments in Planning for and Regulating Silica Sand Projects
4) Agency updates on rulemaking
a. DNR
b. MPCA
c. EQB
5) EQB Ordinance Library
6) Other topics
7) Adjourn
Show up — keep the heat on to get these projects MOVING! It’s been YEARS!
Silica Sand Rulemaking — Mtg. Thursday 8/28
August 26th, 2014
It’s that time again — the Silica Sand Advisory Committee is meeting again on Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the People’s Energy Cooperative in Oronoco, Minn.
Here’s the Agenda:
Agenda
Dig this:
In my experience, the search/stretch for consensus is the first step in unreasonable compromise. It takes a push to change things, and it’s important not to give up too soon.
As you know, I’ve been frustrated at the way these meetings are handled, in that they’re NOT doing what a rulemaking advisory committee is supposed to do, which is review and comment on draft rules. And we’re not getting representation on this committee, there are no regular updates from members that I’m aware of, unless I ask on a list, so we’re not getting any opportunity for input or feedback from the representatives. Plus there’s Charlie Peterson…
I was listening to the July meeting, and for introductions, there were only six members of the committee present:
Tara Wetzel – MN Aggregate Ready Mix Assoc.
Beth Procter – Lime Twp., Blue Earth County
Al Frechette – Scott County
Doug Losee – Unimin
Tom Rowekamp – IT Sand
Kelly Stanage – Citizen Rep. from Houston County
I’ve heard from Amy Nelson that she, Keith, and Vincent Ready were there. Katie just let me know she was there. Others? Were introductions not broadcast? Did anyone come in later? Can’t tell, it was audio only (unless I’m missing something), and the audio was out for a large part of the presentation. Where are the alternates? Where are the alternates? And if members are determining that it’s a big waste of time and don’t want to show up, well, it seems they ought to let the agencies know so replacements can be found! And so the meetings can be changed to become more ___________ and less _________ so members can and will attend!
Here’s the bright spot of the day, from what I’ve seen:
Look where they put the “Advisory Panel.” IT’S IN THE RIGHT PLACE!!! YES!!! Now, there needs to be another arrow, though, or a expansion of the purple square that says, “Advisory Panel review of draft rules.” They’re sidestepping by saying that, even the EQB Board, will “review draft rule concepts.” NOPE, not good enough, eliminate that word “concepts” and let’s start reviewing rules, the Advisory Panel and the EQB. DRAFT RULES! It’s that simple.
From the site, here are the future planned meetings:
April Fool on April Fools Day!
April 1st, 2013
Bubble in the natural gas fracking world? Is the fracking boom about to go BOOM? From AlterNet:
Is Natural Gas the Next Bubble? Has Fracking Promised More Than It Can Deliver?
In this weekend’s Red Wing Republican Eagle — they edited my headline, this is the original, because my view of this is that those writing about how he is being abused, it’s a lynching, etc. are ignoring the crucial fact that he had the choice to disclose but he did not. Let’s see what happens today:
It’s about disclosure!