From: | Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@igc.org> |
Date: | Tue, 17 Sep 1996 11:35:29 -0700 (PDT) |
Reply: | cpeo-military |
Subject: | CW DISPOSAL ALTERNATIVES |
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. --MORE-- 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 --30-- | |
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