UTC STOPS OPEN BURNING

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>]

UTC SEEKS HYDROLYSIS PERMIT FOR ROCKET FUEL TREATMENT

Since 1950, the Chemical Systems Division of United Technologies 
Corporation has operated a solid rocket production and testing complex 
in the hills about 14 miles southeast of downtown San Jose, California. 
Members of the surrounding community have repeatedly criticized both 
the firm's groundwater contamination and air emissions from its 
open-burn disposal pits. UTC has burned waste solid rocket fuel and 
other wastes on site, releasing significant quantities of hydrogen 
chloride and aluminum oxide.

In a decision that I believe was made a couple of years ago, the Bay 
Area Air Quality Management District has banned open burning, effective 
January 1, 1997. Now UTC is seeking a permit for the operation of a 
40-000 pounds per year hydrolysis treatment unit to dispose of the same 
wastes. The permit, from Cal-EPA's Department of Toxic Substances 
Control (DTSC), is also proposed to cover a Container Storage Unit.

Earlier rulings had forced UTC to stop importing old solid rockets for 
demilitarization and on-site disposal. UTC moved that operation to the 
Sierra Army Depot, north of Lake Tahoe.

UTC is also working with DTSC on a closure plan for its open burn unit, 
a 20-acre site with nine inactive and two (recently?) active burn pits.

Lenny Siegel