Wisconsin state campaign finance records show executives from Hi-Crush Partners, which is facing Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fines, have donated $10,000 to the campaign of Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) over the last two election cycles, according to WisconsinWatch.
The state fined Hi-Crush Partners $52,000 in July for operating two high-capacity wells at its sand mine in Augusta without approval from the DNR.
In 2012, the DNR gave Hi-Crush approval to construct and operate two wells. But in November of that year, the DNR discovered the company had drilled four. Court documents show two pumps in question ran from July of 2012 to November of 2012 and at least one was without a water-usage meter.
Gov. Walker attended the opening of a new Hi-Crush facility in Independence on May 22.
“Hi-Crush is a major player in the frac sand industry, utilizing Wisconsin’s natural sand reserves and delivering a quality product to major U.S. energy service companies, while maintaining a positive relationship with the Wisconsin communities surrounding their facilities,” said Gov. Walker, according to a release put out by his office.