Bell Calls on Department of Energy to Lead Long-Delayed Cleanup of West Lake Landfill

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright urging the agency to take a leadership role in resolving the decades-long cleanup of radioactive contamination at the West Lake Landfill.

In the letter, Rep. Bell calls on DOE to replicate the successful federal cost-allocation framework that helped advance cleanup efforts at the Latty Avenue site, arguing that the Federal 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 Rep. 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, Co-Founders of Just Moms STL.“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 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.

Read the full letter here.