The Colorado Oil and Gas Commission, or COGC, investigated radioactive sand dumping related to fracking (Coloradan, March 2012). It concluded that the pollution arose because "operators might use radioactive sand for some measurements"; further that "dumping in old oil well pits may not even need a permit because the COGC only regulates levels of oil and sand."
This "investigation" by COGC was highly misleading and inadequate. Used fracking sand is virtually always interspersed with radioactive uranium in Colorado. This happens during the fracking process itself. The acquired radioactivity remains in the sand and fluid upon return to the surface. The "return" is so contaminated that it requires an industrial waste level of disposal.
The Coloradan fell for the COGC's explanation. It had been previously duped by the industry and the COGC when it reported that the amounts of water extinguished (permanently removed) from the hydrologic cycle by fracking's injection well disposals was insignificant because there exists much larger amounts of water cycling elsewhere (like oceans and agri-irrigations).
Wake up! The COGC is not a reliable source of information for reporters.
Wendell G. Bradley,