- The city of Decorah, Iowa, has been asked to take a stand on frac sand mining, according to the Decorah Newspapers. Mayoral Candidate Jim McIntosh wrote, “People of Decorah look to the city administration to speak for and to focus our desires for the city we love. We therefore request that the mayor and the City Council employ its influence to convey our convictions to those who will be making the immense decisions that will affect our lives. We therefore ask that the city leadership consider and adopt the following resolution: ‘Given the potential damage to personal health, our traditional way of life and to the environment the people of Decorah have grown to cherish, we the mayor and city council of the city of Decorah stand with and support those opposing the institution of frac sand mining in Winneshiek County.’” McIntosh said although there would likely be “very little” frac-sand mining within the city of Decorah, it’s important the city’s position on the issue be known.
- TRANSFLO, a subsidiary of CSX Corporation, along with U.S. Silica, hosted an open house to mark its grand opening Sept. 6 in Fairmont, W.Va. TRANSFLO Terminal Services offers rail-to-truck, transloading network services in North America. The new Fairmont facility is located at 900 Washington St. It is expected to increase TRANSFLO’s storage capacity by 10,000 tons as well as create new jobs in the area, according to a news release. TRANSFLO provides logistical solutions for transporting products safely and efficiently from rail trucks. TRANSFLO currently operates 58 active terminals throughout its network, and has transloaded more than 500 bulk products. The two-hour event in Fairmont featured representatives from U.S. Silica, CSX and TRANSFLO Terminal Services as well as nearly 100 attendees.
- The Kinnickinnic, Wis., Town Board voted at its Sept. 3 regular meeting to add a six-month extension beginning Nov. 1 to the current moratorium on frac sand mining, according to the River Falls Journal. Town Board Chairman Jerry Olson said the extension gives the board more time to get its permanent Nonmetalic Mining Ordinance in place. Brian O’Connor, of Preferred Sands of Minnesota, said he was concerned how the moratorium is affecting his business. “We are betting a lot of our business because of this moratorium,” he said. “We were expecting this to be lifted in December.” O’Connor said the extension would prevent his company from starting to mine in the area next spring.