MIDDLETON (AP) - A former official with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Wisconsin can remain the leading supplier of sand for the nation's fracking boom as long as the state imposes and enforces strong regulations.
A Wisconsin State Journal report says J. Winston Porter is now an energy consultant and fracking supporter. He told a business convention in Middleton that state regulators and fracking companies have to commit to maximum transparency.
He says openness will help minimize controversies between companies and environmentalists. He says that means responding quickly to neighbors' concerns and sharing information promptly.
Deborah Dixon is the lead specialist on frack-sand issues with the state Department of Natural Resources. She says there are currently 135 active fracking operations in Wisconsin. That includes 63 sand mines and 45 processing plants.
A Wisconsin State Journal report says J. Winston Porter is now an energy consultant and fracking supporter. He told a business convention in Middleton that state regulators and fracking companies have to commit to maximum transparency.
He says openness will help minimize controversies between companies and environmentalists. He says that means responding quickly to neighbors' concerns and sharing information promptly.
Deborah Dixon is the lead specialist on frack-sand issues with the state Department of Natural Resources. She says there are currently 135 active fracking operations in Wisconsin. That includes 63 sand mines and 45 processing plants.