New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday sought to reassure residents following the discovery of radioactive contamination in parts of Niagara and Erie counties, saying state and federal officials are accelerating testing efforts while urging affected homeowners to allow inspectors onto their properties.
Speaking in Albany, Hochul said the discovery of radioactive material has created uncertainty for families and she pledged that her administration will prioritize transparency as environmental officials work to determine the extent of the contamination.
“I understand the news that finding any radioactive material in an area can be extremely unsettling for the families who live there, and living with this uncertainty is nothing any family should have to endure,” Hochul said.
The governor said her priority is clear — to continue testing and speed up the analysis of samples so residents receive answers as quickly as possible.
“My priority is very clear: do the testing, get people the answers as soon as possible, as soon as we know them, as soon as the analysis has been done,” Hochul said. “Families deserve that information, they deserve that transparency and they deserve to have confidence that their governor is on their side — their governor and their government.”
Hochul, who grew up in Western New York, said the situation reminded her of the region’s industrial legacy and referenced the long-lasting effects of the Love Canal environmental disaster.
“I know the impacts of our industrial past,” she said.
She added that she does not want history to repeat itself by delaying action after potential hazards are identified.
“I don’t want to wait another 30 years to discover that when something was found wrong, that we could have done something when the evidence first started surfacing,” Hochul said.
Officials ramp up testing, offer relocations
The governor said Monday the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the state Department of Health and the EPA were scheduled to hold a community meeting last night at the Niagara Falls Convention Center to provide residents with an update on the investigation, explain the testing process and answer questions.
Hochul said the EPA has increased testing efforts after discussions with the state and has already visited every home where property owners signed access agreements allowing officials to conduct surveys.
She said the EPA has also offered to temporarily relocate four families out of an abundance of caution.
Hochul urged residents who have received requests for property access to sign the agreements, noting that officials cannot legally enter private property without permission.
“So let me be very clear: we will not stop testing until families have all their questions answered,” Hochul said. “We’re going to keep working hard. We’re going to make sure we take all necessary actions because no New Yorker should have to spend a single moment of their time worrying about whether their home and their family is safe.”
The governor did not provide additional details Monday about the source of the radioactive contamination or when testing results are expected to be completed. State and federal officials continue investigating the affected areas in Niagara and Erie counties.