DENVER—U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Joe Neguse (CO-02) called for air monitoring equipment to be installed at the Rocky Flats Superfund Site to track air quality and potential chemical contamination. In a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the members explained that infrastructure improvements were necessary to protect the communities surrounding the Rocky Flats Superfund site, which include the cities of Arvada and Broomfield, and Boulder County.
“The ongoing risks from Superfund sites are pervasive even after the completion of the clean-up at the Rocky Flats Superfund site, and we continue to hear concerns from the communities we represent,” the members wrote. They continued, “the presence of air quality monitors would demonstrate any impacts on our communities resulting from the dispersion of contaminated materials during and following a wildfire. This is a necessary investment to protect the health and integrity of the communities that live alongside Rocky Flats.”
This is the latest in Pettersen’s ongoing work to protect communities from pollution and chemical contamination. Earlier this month, Pettersen sent a letter to the EPA requesting similar improvements be made to the Cotter Mill superfund site outside of Cañon City.
The full text of the letter can be found here and below
Dear Secretary Granholm and Administrator Regan,
We write regarding the need for robust federal investments in air quality monitoring at the Rocky Flats Plant and surrounding communities in Colorado. In 1989, the EPA declared Rocky Flats a Superfund site. In 2005, the physical cleanup was completed except for the central area, which remains a Superfund site. The ongoing risks from Superfund sites are pervasive even after the completion of the clean-up at the Rocky Flats Superfund site, and we continue to hear concerns from the communities we represent.
In December of 2021 the Marshall Fire swept through Colorado—destroying over 1,000 structures in Boulder County as winds barreled across the state with gusts of up to 100 miles per hour. The impacts of the Marshall Fire have been lasting, and our communities are continuing to recover. The Marshall Fire particularly devastated communities north of Rocky Flats and underscored the risks, including wildfire and air quality, posed to those living near contaminated sites.
In response to requests made by local municipalities and counties, including the cities of Arvada and Broomfield, and Boulder County, we request that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invest in air quality monitoring surrounding the Rocky Flats site. Specifically, the DOE and EPA should share the data collected with the public and local and state governments. The presence of air quality monitors would demonstrate any impacts on our communities resulting from the dispersion of contaminated materials during and following a wildfire. This is a necessary investment to protect the health and integrity of the communities that live alongside Rocky Flats. We encourage you to work with other state and federal partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, as you work to develop and implement any air quality monitoring.
Thank you for giving your full and fair consideration to this request in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, laws, and guidelines. We look forward to hearing from you and working together on this issue.
Sincerely,
