Critics of the VX incineration at the Veolia facility in Port Arthur have every right to voice their opinions. And it never hurts for company leaders or public officials to be reminded that people will be watching them intently to make sure they do exactly what they promise. Beyond those points, however, this issue is getting more attention than it warrants.

At the midway point, the job is said to be proceeding smoothly. In about a year, Veolia is expected to have destroyed all of the 430 shipments of treated nerve gas waste from a U.S. Army facility in Indiana.

Opponents have tried to stop it in the courts and failed. The federal judge's ruling was appropriate. The critics gave no logical reason to halt the transportation or incineration of the material.

The Veolia facility is not a petting zoo or flower nursery. It is a heavily regulated toxic waste incinerator. Almost every week it burns something that probably could kill people. Yet in our modern society, these incinerators are needed to deal with the byproducts of chemicals, fuels, plastic, etc. It is also one of only three facilities in the country authorized to handle these VX wastes.

Contrary to some beliefs, the facility is not located in a poor neighborhood of Port Arthur. It is three miles west of the city surrounded by acres of empty land.

Unless the critics can give a better reason to stop it, this job should continue with strict oversight.