Why Are Scott McInnis, Josh Penry Silent on Mercury Dump?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 24, 2009
CONTACT: Michael Huttner at 303-931-4547

DENVER--As elected officials around Colorado grew increasingly wary of Department of Energy proposals to store large quantities of toxic mercury near the city of Grand Junction, ProgressNow Colorado, the state's largest online progressive advocacy organization released the following statement:

"We demand that Scott 'McLobbyist' McInnis and Josh Penry stand up to protect the public health now," said ProgressNow Colorado founder Michael Huttner.  "It is unconscionable that days after the Department of Energy presented plans to store toxic mercury at a Mesa County landfill, in violation of previous agreements, they have remained silent.

"Yesterday, Rep. Steve King, Republican from Grand Junction, told reporters that he would oppose any attempt by the Department of Energy to transport mercury to Mesa County.[1] Governor Bill Ritter also announced his opposition to this proposal.[2] Both of them are to be commended for taking swift action to protect the public health," Huttner said.

The area's other representative in the General Assembly, Sen. Josh Penry, 'could not be reached for comment' according to the Grand Junction Sentinel.[3] Scott McInnis, who represented the area in Congress from 1993-2005, has also been completely silent.

"It's totally unacceptable," concluded Huttner, "and the people of Mesa County should demand accountability for their failure to act."

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[1] Grand Junction Sentinel. Rep. King: Feds should look elsewhere to store mercury. 7/23/2009.
[2] Grand Junction Sentinel. Ritter says he'll oppose mercury on West Slope. 7/24/2009.
[3] Grand Junction Sentinel. Local officials lukewarm on idea of storing mercury within Mesa County. 7/22/2009.