For more information contact:
Craig Williams - 859-986-7565
859-302-1103

for immediate release Tuesday 15 February 2011

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST SEEKS FULL FUNDING FOR CHEM-WEAPONS DISPOSAL EFFORTS IN COLORADO AND KENTUCKY

Fiscal Year 2012 Request Calls For $477.1 Million to Continue Project Acceleration 

President Obama's budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2012 includes an adequate level of funding to maintain an accelerated pace of construction and other activities associated with efforts to dispose of the chemical weapons stored in Pueblo, Colorado and Richmond, Kentucky.

A total of $477.1 million is requested for the fiscal year, which includes $75.3 million in construction funding and $401.8 million in research, development, test and evaluation funding. Importantly, the request also contains enough funding to continue supporting the local governments Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program at both locations.

Madison County Judge Executive, Kent Clark was quick to praise the levels seen in the request. "We were told what the Pentagon would need to move forward with the project here in Kentucky and that's what is asked for. This is a good sign that things are staying on track," he said.

Since the decision to neutralize the chemical agents at these two sites was made in 2002/2003 the funding needed to do so has been erratic and has added significantly to slowing the disposal effort.

Craig Williams, director of the Kentucky based Chemical Weapons Working Group said, " We all welcome the fact that the funds needed are being asked for, but we still are concerned with how Congress will respond. With the deficit being front and center in all budgetary issues they may try to scale this project back. We certainly hope that doesn't happen, as we've witnessed great progress over the past two years."

Colorado Citizens Advisory Commission member, Ross Vincent said, "This is most encouraging news. The sooner we get rid of these weapons the better. President Obama recognizes this priority, and we agree."

Currently the Colorado project is approximately 75% completed with construction, while the Kentucky has almost 35% complete. 

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copies of the President's budget regarding this project are available upon request