News - Local
Colorado lawmakers urge DOE to scrap mercury dump
Posted: Sep 26, 2009 6:58 AM by Associated Press
Three members of Colorado's congressional delegation have told Energy Secretary Steven Chu that storing the nation's excess mercury in western Colorado is "unreasonable" considering the potential threats to public health and environment.
Colorado Sens. Mark Udall and Mike Bennet and Congressman John Salazar, all Democrats, said Friday that the potential negative impacts and local opposition make the Grand Junction area an unreasonable choice under federal environmental law. Western Colorado is one of seven sites being considered as a long-term storage area for up to 17,000 tons of mercury.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has said the risk of transporting hazardous waste on routes near or that cross such major water sources as the Colorado River is too high.
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