Weapons disposal project could see budget increase

The Associated Press -February 4, 2008 12:54 PM ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Chemical weapons disposal projects in Colorado and Kentucky could see a major increase in funding under a proposed 2009 budget President Bush has sent to Congress.

Bush today proposed a $398-million split between sites in Richmond, Kentucky and Pueblo, Colorado. Both plan to use neutralization rather than incineration to destroy the chemical weapons to comply with an international treaty.

The proposal signals renewed interest from the Bush administration toward getting rid of the weapons without further delay.

The spending level is about $50 million more than the program received the past two years.

Three years ago, the White House asked for $31 million.

That would've put operations in a holding pattern in Kentucky and Colorado.

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