{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-kennedy-and-senator-curtiss-bipartisan-legislation-transfer-moab", "Congressman Kennedy and Senator Curtis\u2019s Bipartisan Legislation to Transfer Moab UMTRA Site Advances", "2026-02-05", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act advanced unanimously through the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, marking a key step toward transferring the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) site to Grand County following completion of cleanup and remediation.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re one step closer to putting the people of Moab and Grand County back in charge of their own backyard, instead of federal agencies. For too long, this community has lacked the tools to transform the toxic \u2018pile\u2019 of radioactive waste left behind by the federal government,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cAfter years of collaboration with local leaders and residents, I am excited to get the Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act to the finish line and empower the community to reclaim this land and transform it into a community asset.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Moab UMTRA site has undergone extensive remediation over two decades, and it\u2019s time to prepare for what comes next,\u201d said Senator John Curtis. \u201cThe strength of this bill lies in the consensus behind it. It reflects years of cooperative effort among local leaders, the community, and federal agencies, all working toward a shared goal: restoring and returning this land to the people of Grand County.\u201d\n\nLocal officials and stakeholders in Utah have expressed widespread support for the legislation.\n\n\"The City of Moab appreciates the work of our congressional delegation as the House and Senate consider the Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act of 2025. As the gateway to our community the completion of this project and local control of future plans for this site will surely be a showcase for generations to come,\u201d said Joette Langianese, Mayor of Moab.\n\n\u201cWe are also grateful for the 25 years of bipartisan congressional support that will result in removing 16 million tons of uranium mill tailings away from the Colorado River, where it posed a threat to 40 million downstream water users in multiple states.\u201d\n\n\u201cGrand County proudly supports the Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act of 2025 and thanks Sen. Curtis and Rep. Kennedy for championing this critical effort. Removing the legacy uranium tailings from the banks of the Colorado River is vital to protecting our water and the health of our community. As we enter the final phase, we\u2019re excited to partner with the City of Moab to transform the former Atlas Mill site into something that truly benefits both residents and visitors,\u201d said Bill Winfield, Grand County Commission Chair.\n\n\"The Moab Chamber of Commerce sees this project as important for our local economy. With the cleanup nearing completion, the opportunity to revitalize the former Atlas Mill site opens the door for thoughtful redevelopment of the area. By transforming this space into a community asset, we\u2019re strengthening the long-term vitality of our local economy. We appreciate the forward-thinking leadership and are excited about what it means for Moab\u2019s future,\u201d said the Moab Chamber of Commerce.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Moab UMTRA site, located along the Colorado River near Arches National Park, was once home to a uranium milling operation that left behind 16 million tons of radioactive tailings. Following decades of concern over public health and environmental risk, Congress authorized cleanup through the Department of Energy\u2019s Environmental Management program.\n\nRemediation began in earnest in the early 2000s, with tailings transported by rail to a disposal site near Crescent Junction. Since then, the project has become one of the most significant environmental cleanups in the country, with ongoing work to ensure groundwater protection, air quality compliance, and safe reuse of the land.\n\nWith the cleanup nearing completion, community leaders have engaged in long-term visioning for the future of the site. Potential uses include recreational development, public open space, economic redevelopment, and environmental preservation\u2014ideas that reflect Moab\u2019s outdoor heritage and the community\u2019s shared priorities.\n\nThe full text of the bill can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-kennedy-and-senator-curtiss-bipartisan-legislation-transfer-moab"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6521799843758345, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}