New frac-sand processing facility to open in Wabasha

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WABASHA, Minn. - The planning commission in Wabasha has paved the way for a permanent facility to process $40-million worth of Wisconsin frac-sand each year.

The Superior Sand System will store silica sand, and load it onto rail cars for delivery to oil-and-gas drilling sites where the special frac-sand makes the fuel exploration process easier. Some residents wanted Wabasha officials to order an environmental assessment – but the planning commission decided that a conditional use permit was enough. Officials imposed several conditions. Sand suppliers cannot deliver more than 280 trucks per day to the processing unit.

The sand cannot be chemically-processed there, and it must follow all noise limits. The company says a temporarily facility will start operating in a few weeks, in which trucks will load sand directly onto rail cars. A more permanent facility, including storage, is expected to be ready in a few months.

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