Congressman Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) is urging U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright to be more proactive in resolving the decades-long cleanup of radioactive contamination at the West Lake Landfill.
In a letter, Bell implored the DOE to utilized the “successful federal cost-allocation framework that helped advance cleanup efforts at the Latty Avenue site. He also says the U.S. Government “must finally acknowledge and act on its role in the Manhattan Project-era contamination that continues to affect the St. Louis region.”
“Recent progress at Coldwater Creek and other St. Louis-area sites shows what is possible when the federal government acts with clarity and coordination,” wrote Bell. “It is beyond time for that same approach to be applied to West Lake Landfill.”
“It’s wonderful to finally see the U.S. Department of Energy take accountability for their radioactive waste along Coldwater Creek. Now they must do the same at West Lake Landfill,” said Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickel, Just Moms STL co-founders.
“The horrific chapter of the Manhattan Project in Missouri began with them, and only they can end it. It’s time for them to stop creating casualties of World War II in the St. Louis Region!”
The letter also calls for DOE to convene all relevant agencies and private parties to finalize a cost-share agreement that recognizes DOE’s role in the contamination and ensures long-term funding and coordination for the cleanup.