Metal-parts furnace trials to fire up by mid-summer

By Rob Jordan
Star Staff Writer
04-14-2004

There wasn’t much to hear at a public hearing on proposed modifications to the incinerator Tuesday night. Only one area resident — a member of a state-appointed incinerator issues community liaison group — joined the dozen or so government officials and Westinghouse employees at the Anniston Meeting Center. If the Alabama Department of Environmental Management approves the proposal, the incinerator will begin burning projectiles on a trial basis in its metal parts furnace as early as mid-summer, according to ADEM officials. Although drained before incineration, the projectiles, weighing up to 200 pounds each, will contain residual amounts of liquid GB, according to Tim Garrett, the Army site manager at the incinerator. Sitting toward the front of the mostly empty seats, Erma K. Wilkins said she was comfortable with the proposed plan for a trial burn of the facility’s metal parts furnace. Wilkins, whose house is about two miles from the incinerator’s front gates, said the incinerator had a proven record of safety. “These people know what they’re doing,” Wilkins said. She attributed the lack of public involvement to public confidence in the incinerator’s operation, but said the hearing should have been better advertised. Justin Martindale, an ADEM environmental engineer, said the agency had announced the hearing in two March advertisements —one in a local newspaper and one on a local radio station. If the four-day trial burn meets federal emission standards, the metal parts furnace will go to work full time, burning about 60 projectiles an hour, Martindale said. James Grassiano, head of ADEM’s engineering services section, said the use of the metal parts furnace is a natural progression as the facility moves from burning M-55 rockets to projectiles. There will be a public comment period on the proposed use of the metal parts furnace 7 p.m. May 6 at the meeting center. The last day to submit public comment on the plan to ADEM is May 17.

About Rob Jordan

Rob Jordan covers criminal justice issues for The Star.