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'We're going to ride this momentum' | St. Louis advocates head to DC again to get compensation for radioactive waste victims

They're working to get the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, known as RECA, attached to a bill.

ST. LOUIS —

They say the third time is a charm. St. Louis advocates hope that's the case this time around.

Advocates, including Just Moms STL and some state legislators, have boots on the ground in Washington, D.C., this week.

Co-founder Dawn Chapman said, "We are educating pleading and begging for help for the government radioactive waste legacy that's impacted this entire nation."

They're working to get the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, known as RECA, attached to a bill.

If passed, it would compensate radioactive waste victims. RECA is expected to expire in June.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said, "Their advocacy is so powerful it changes minds to have them coming back to Capitol Hill, this would be their third trip in the last six months."

For Missouri State Reps. Tricia Byrnes and Chantelle Nickson-Clark, this is personal. That's why they are side-by-side with Just Moms STL.

Nickson-Clark shared she is a two-time cancer survivor, and her family has suffered from several cancers as well.

"This is very important knowing that north St. Louis County, where I've resided all of my life, has played an intricate part of being exposed to this radioactive waste," she said. 

Nickson-Clark is representing her district on the D.C. trip. 

"North St. Louis County, we often felt like we were underrepresented, underserved, undervalued. Now we are seeing this great move around radioactive waste, it’s exciting. We know that no dollar amount, absolutely no dollar amount can amount to anyone losing their life. We are hoping to shine light, that you have been heard," Nickson-Clark said.

That's not the only support victims may be getting.

"We are going to ride this momentum as much as we can," Nickson-Clark said. 

On Monday, 5 On Your Side learned Missouri Gov. Mike Parson requested about $225,000 in general revenue for Radioactive Waste Investigations in the 2024 state budget to help the Missouri Department of Natural Resources investigate radioactive sites. If approved by the General Assembly, the funds would be administered by the DNR.

Chapman noted they are thankful for Parson's support, but they still have questions. 

Chapman shared, "We have to know more about this program. Who can apply for it? Is this for sites already contaminated, is this for sites that we suspect could be, is it for homeowners?"

The budget request would allow the state of oversee investigations across the state, but it doesn't specify when, where or how that would happen.

What advocates do know is that there is some hope.

Hawley said, "I am looking at any legislation that I think can go through the House and Senate and forcing a vote to put nuclear compensation on there."

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