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Nebraska wastewater well wins approval despite opposition

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State regulators have approved a controversial disposal well in northwest Nebraska for wastewater generated by oil and natural gas production.

The Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission voted 2-0 on Wednesday in favor of the project, proposed by Colorado-based Terex Energy Corp.

The company wants to truck in salty groundwater and chemical-laden fracking wastewater from oil operations in Wyoming, Colorado and, eventually, Nebraska, to an old oil well on a ranch in southern Sioux County.

Nebraska already has 121 active saltwater disposal wells, but the project near Mitchell has drawn opposition from environmental groups. Seven state senators have urged the commission to delay its decision so they can review Nebraska's safety laws.

Bill Sydow, the commission's executive director, says landowners near the site can appeal the decision in district court.

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