We asked for help to stop California DTSC’s Grant Cope from being appointed to a critically important role in the federal EPA. Since the day I met Grant Cope I’ve witnessed firsthand his empty promises to clean up one of America’s worst nuclear meltdowns, the Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL). He knows that our community has a 60% cancer incidence rate. He knows about the pediatric cancer cluster. He knows about the community’s thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases. 

He also knows that if he can scratch Boeing’s back (who owns most of the SSFL) that they’ll likely scratch his at some point.

Really, that’s my only guess as to why Cope has been so willing to accept faulty data, work with the responsible parties instead of with the community, and for his negligence to protect our community from the toxic and radioactive waste that washes off the SSFL and into our backyards. 

But you helped! Over 80 people wrote comments and we were able to forward them to Biden’s EPA transition team. Here are a few I wanted to share:

Lori wrote, “... I feel for the people who are still exposed to this national blight that has been covered up for all these years. Hire someone with courage, determination, and the bravery to stand up for what is right!”

John wrote, “I worked at DTSC in the early 2000s. I know how disabled they are as a protector of people...they are totally disabled by the monetary influences… Apparently, Grant Cope is one of the purchasables… ”

Kyle wrote, “As a parent of a cancer surviving child, and son of a two-time cancer surviving parent, I have been deeply impacted by the cancer challenge…. The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment… Grant Cope has demonstrated to act in opposition to the mission of the EPA, and as such, it would be highly inappropriate to nominate him for the EPA’s Office of Land and Management (OLEM) position.”

Amaria wrote, “Choose someone who will put life and children before profits.”

And while we don’t know outright that Cope was denied the position, it looks very likely that Carlton Waterhouse will be. He’s been appointed the deputy director for that same position and is likely to be approved by Congress.

All that to say, thank you for helping.  Your words are helping us move mountains.

Warmly,

Melissa Bumstead
www.ParentsAgainstSantaSusana.org