CW DISPOSAL ALTERNATIVES

[Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@igc.org>]

From: Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@igc.org>

Chemical Weapons Working Group
P.O. Box 467 Berea, KY 40403
Phone: 606-986-7565 Fax: 606-986-2695
 e-mail: kefwilli@acs.eku.edu 

For more information contact: Craig Williams 606-986-7565
Local Contacts Listed Below 

For immediate release: September 14, 1996 
 
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES APPROVE FUNDING
ALTERNATIVES TO INCINERATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS 
 Congressional Conferees on Defense spending have agreed to
spend $40 million dollars on development of non-incineration
alternative technologies for disposal of chemical weapons. 
Legislation introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell, (R-KY)
made it through the Joint Conference Committee of Defense
Appropriations late Thursday. The legislation authorizes
the expenditure of $40 million dollars to evaluate and
demonstrate not less than two alternative technologies to
incineration at non-bulk storage sites, including sites
which contain M-55 rockets, bombs and projectiles. The Bill
also forbids incineration construction in Kentucky and
Colorado until at least six months after a report on the
pilot program has been submitted to Congress, sometime after
the demonstrations have been completed and evaluated. 
 The Bill stipulates that this pilot program be placed under
control of an executive officer who is not, nor has been, in
control of the ArmyÕs chemical weapons incineration program.
 ÒWe donÕt want the effort undermined by people who already
have a bias in favor of incinerationÓ Senator McConnell
said.
 Senator Ford (D-KY) and Senator Brown (R-CO) agree. They
introduced similar legislation earlier this summer which
would have appropriated $60 million dollars to alternatives
which passed in the full Senate, but was severely watered
down in language passed by the Defense Authorizations Joint
Conference Committee during closed-door sessions. However,
Senator Ford was able to get President ClintonÕs support of
funding for alternatives and the President has agreed to
make alternatives research Òthe highest priorityÓ in the
chemical demilitarization program. This will help insure
that Senator McConnellÕs bill moves through the full
Congress and to the President intact. 
 The Senate Defense Appropriations Committee Report language
also denied requested funding for much of the incineration
specific equipment purchases for Colorado and Kentucky and
any additional purchases of such material for the Alabama
site.
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2--Alternatives (con't)--

 Craig Williams, spokesperson for the Chemical Weapons
Working Group said, ÒThis has been a significant effort by
Congress and the Administration which well represents the
resolve of citizens nation-wide to see these weapons
disposed of as safely as possible. We are especially
pleased that funding will finally be made available for
pilot testing of alternative technologies to dispose of the
M55 rockets and other munitions containing these agents. Ó
 Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported yesterday that the
draft report from the Army Core Evaluation Team recommended
against considering incineration at Newport, Indiana. 
Governor Bayh of Indiana has raised objections to the ArmyÕs
incineration program since 1991 due to costs, health, and
environmental hazards. "This is an important step in the
right direction for the Army and for the people of Western
Indiana," Governor Bayh said. Alternatives are also under
serious consideration for Maryland.
 In Colorado, the Army recently withdrew its requests for
proposals from potential contractors to design and build
chemical weapons incinerator there. 
 ÒThe tide is turning away from incineration and towards
safer, cleaner technologies,Ó Williams said, "it's time we
move forward and get the job done correctly." 

For additional information from specific sites contact:

Pine Bluff, Arkansas Dr. Abdullah Muhammad (501) 534-3320
Kalama Island, Pacific Ms. Pua'Ena Burgess (808) 696-5157
Berea, Kentucky Ms. Gina Chamberlain (606) 986-5667
Newport, Indiana Mr. Mark Hudson (317) 569-5887
Hermiston, Oregon Ms. Karyn Jones (541) 567-6581
Tooele, Utah Ms. Cindy King (801) 486-9848
Anniston, Alabama Dr. Suzanne Marshall (205) 236-5234
Aberdeen, Maryland Mr. John Nunn, Esq. (410) 778-5968
Pueblo, Colorado Mr. Alan Urban (719) 783-9755

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