FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Colorado officials are investigating the dumping of radioactive sand related to hydraulic fracturing into an unpermitted pit at an EOG Resources oil well in northern Weld County.
Hydraulic fracturing involves the use of millions of gallons of water, chemicals and sand to extract oil and natural gas, and sometimes the sand can be radioactive.
The Coloradoan reports ( ) oil well inspection records of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission show the radioactive sand dumping occurred March 8. The commission is reviewing whether a permit was required for that particular pit.
EOG Resources says it will arrange for the radioactive material to be taken to an approved disposal facility. A company spokeswoman says independent testing indicates the radioactivity levels don’t pose a risk to the public, workers or the environment.
———
Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan,
