02/15/2004

Group to discuss VX gas proposal

A Wilmington citizens group is holding an informational meeting about the deadly VX nerve agent.

The meeting will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 21 in the Carvel State Office Building auditorium, 820 French St., Wilmington. Officials from the Let My People Know Coalition organized the meeting.

Dupont Co. plans to treat byproducts from a chemical weapons-disposal project at its Deepwater, N.J., plant near the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The proposed project is part of a federal program to reduce the nation's chemical-weapons stockpiles. Trace amounts of VX would be sent to the company plant from a military stockpile in Indiana by train and truck. One potential truck route includes portions of Del. 41, Del. 141, I-95 and I-295 in Delaware.

John Flaherty, a Common Cause of Delaware lobbyist, will moderate the event. John Kearney, who represents the Clean Air Council in Delaware, will present a slide show. Other speakers could be added.

Plans to send the material to a wastewater system in Ohio were canceled last year after protests from the public. Officials from environmental groups in Delaware have said the latest plan would put people and the Delaware River at risk.

For information, call 762-8700.