Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Scott Walker legacy: Paying obeisance to mining interests


To the detriments of residents where these polluting mines were located.


12/9/2019 update, "Scott Walker:  Pay to play the Hi-Crush way", starts here.



Reported in Judge allows Hi-Crush lawsuits to proceed but requires neighbors to document harms.  (Madison.com, 12/9/2019)

Another piece of Walker's shameful legacy as Governor.



8/3/2014 update, "Office of the Governor:  Scott Walker Continues his "Thank You for Your Contributions" , starts here.

Morning briefing: Sand mine Gov. Scott Walker touted settles state pollution case.  (Capital Times, 8/2/2014)

See hush money contributions below.   But unlike three other cases where sand mining companies paid fines for violating state regulations, the Justice Department didn't issue a news release detailing the agreement with Hi-Crush Proppants LLC, which agreed to pay $52,500 in forfeitures on June 5, according to records filed in Eau Claire County Circuit Court. 'It certainly raises my eyebrows and it certainly seems like there's politics behind it,' said Anne Sayers, program director of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters



And how has Hi-Crush found a way to "maintaining a positive relationships with Wisconsin communities surrounding their facilities"?

Disrespecting a county moratorium.  Despite a one-year ban on new frac sand operations in Trempealeau County, a Texas-based company is looking to build one by using a loophole. Hi-Crush Proppants has been working for more than a year to get approval to build an $80 million, 700-acre mine and processing center in the Town of Lincoln. At the end of August, the Trempealeau County Board passed a moratorium that blocks any new sand facility from being approved for one year. Hi-Crush seems to have found a way around that: General counsel Mark Skolas says the company has petitioned to have their property annexed by the neighboring cities of Whitehall and Independence. (Company Looks To Build Frac Sand Mine In Trempealeau County Despite Moratorium, Wisconsin Public Radio, 9/12/2013)

Other frac sand mining posts:
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favors,  (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners.  (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest.  (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill.  (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud.  (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair.  (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific".  (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues.  (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board.  (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money.  (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease.  (11/5/2013) 
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents.  (10/29/2013) 
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato.  (10/28/2013) 
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349.  (10/25/2013)
Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013).  (10/25/2013) 
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak.  (10/18/2013)
Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately  (10/10/2013)

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