Sand In The Hills

Story by Nathan Jones

Southeastern Minnesota is the next frontier for what energy experts call a ‘modern day gold rush - a $1 billion dollar a year industry with the potential to tap North America’s natural gas reserves, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and create jobs in communities hit hard by the global recession. Suddenly, small units of government are faced with making quick decisions that balance these promised benefits against what critics say will be the plundering of local resources and an impending environmental catastrophe.
KFAI's Nathan Jones has a report.