The recent boom in the use of hyrdaulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas and oil extraction has produced a parallel boom in mining the silica sand that is critical to the process. Minnesota and Wisconsin may not be known for their proven oil reserves, but deposits of frac sand have brought the controversy around fracking home to communities in both states. A new documentary, 'The Price of Sand,' attempts to frame the debate, looking at issues for and against frac sand mining.
The documentary is being screened Friday night at the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing and next Thursday at the Grandview in Saint Paul. It has also been selected for the MSP Film Festival in late April.