Udall, Bennet, Salazar to DOE: Oppose Mercury Storage in Grand Junction

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, and U.S. Rep. John Salazar announced that they have sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, expressing their deep concern about the U.S. Department of Energy's consideration of Grand Junction as a potential location to store 17,000 tons of mercury.

Mesa County is one of seven locations being considered for long-term storage of the hazardous substance. In their letter, Udall, Bennet and Salazar say that the potential negative effects on health and the environment - combined with significant local opposition - make storage in Grand Junction "unreasonable" under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). And they urge Chu to eliminate Mesa County from consideration.

"The law allows the Secretary to eliminate alternatives that are deemed ‘unreasonable' - and I think it is abundantly clear that that applies here," Senator Udall said. "The transportation and storage of mercury in Mesa County would pose too great a risk to the health and safety of the citizens of the Western Slope. People across the region overwhelmingly agree the idea is a bad one. This proposal just doesn't make sense, and it should be taken off the table."

"The final say on this decision should belong to local officials and area residents - and their opposition has been heard," Senator Bennet said. "The potential risks to area residents and our environment are too high for us to support this proposal, and it doesn't make any sense for it to move forward. We will continue to work together to make sure Washington no longer considers Grand Junction and Mesa County as a potential storage site."

"Storing mercury in Mesa County is a bad idea, and I believe the Secretary should remove the region from consideration," Congressman Salazar said.

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