Both Will Scharf and Elad Gross, candidates for attorney general in Missouri, have criticized incumbent Andrew Bailey for his handling of radioactive waste contamination in the St. Louis area. Bailey claims to be holding the federal government accountable for the contamination but Scharf and Gross believe he could be doing more. The contamination dates back to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II, with waste being dumped around the St. Louis airport and Coldwater Creek.
Bailey’s office has faced criticism for not taking adequate action against the federal government for the contamination. Gross, a former employee of the attorney general’s office, has advocated for reinstating the environmental division and increasing efforts to address the waste issue. Meanwhile, Bailey has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Department of Energy to gather more information on the situation.
Despite efforts to address the contamination, including supporting Senator Hawley’s initiative for compensation for cancer victims, Bailey has been accused of not doing enough by his opponents. Scharf has suggested taking legal action against the federal government or the private company responsible for the waste in the West Lake Landfill.
In response to the criticisms, Bailey has defended his office’s efforts and stated that he is committed to ensuring transparency and justice for the victims of the contamination. However, the debate around how to best address the long-standing issue of radioactive waste in the St. Louis area continues to be a focal point for the upcoming election.
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