ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Environmental activists in St Louis County are feeling optimistic, after a top government official vocalized support for a piece of legislation called Justice for Jana.
Six months ago, Jana Elementary in Florissant shut down after conflicting reports showed different levels of radioactive waste on its property.
In a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing Thursday, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm about the radioactive waste found at Jana Elementary and secured her commitment to support his bill.
"I've introduced legislation that would direct the Army Corps to clean up the school, that would direct testing of the entire school district, and create, in the Department of Energy, a fund to clean up schools that are contaminated by Manhattan-era project contamination," said Senator Hawley. "Would you support that legislation?"
“I would,” responded Secretary Granholm.
This bill would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up the school and test the entire Hazelwood School District for radioactive contamination.
Just Moms STL activist Dawn Chapman called the commitment 'a huge win.'
Chapman said, "There is a lot of finger pointing happening between DOE and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up. She is kind of the tie breaker to that. You feel like you’re looking for that needle in a haystack or trying to get a knot out of a big ball of yarn for 10 years and it feels like we got a huge knot out of it yesterday."
For a decade, Chapman has been a champion for change: Demanding the waste, left behind from the Manhattan Project, to be gone.
She said it's days like these that add fuel to their fight.
Joining her side is Jana PTA President Ashley Bernaugh.
The two moms were able to meet and form a bond through the chaos.
"I think there is something very special when women and mothers hear each other’s calls and cries of help. When we hear these calls, we have to get together, we stand up for kids and take it very seriously," she said.
Bernaugh also has been fighting for months for transparency and change.
The two said they feel like there's been a lot of finger-pointing.
But now, there may be some answers.
"I think it’s an important step on taking accountability," Bernaugh said about the most recent commitment.
While it's everything she wanted to hear, Bernaugh also wants to see action.
"If this is a good first step for the Department of Energy and any of their cohorts in the army to begin having that conversation, I hope she would lead by example," she added.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shared this statement with 5 On Your Side:
While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not comment on proposed legislation, what we can tell you is that we remain actively engaged in activities to address community concerns about radioactive material along Coldwater Creek. We will continue to prioritize the health and well-being of the community, guided by data-driven decisions.
Hawley said, he's trying to pass his bill through the Senate next week.
As for Jana Elementary, just last month, we reported the school is not expected to reopen.
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