for immediate release, Friday, April 31, 1998
PENTAGON SELECTS SIX TECHNOLOGIES TO MOVE TO NEXT PHASE
IN EVALUATION OF INCINERATION ALTERNATIVES
FOR CHEMICAL WEAPONS DISPOSAL
The Pentagon announced today the awarding of contracts to six companies to submit work plans
for demonstrations of their non-incineration technologies for disposal of chemical weapons. The
technologies chosen were submitted for evaluation under the Congressionally directed Assembled
Chemical Weapons Assessment Program (ACWA). Under the 1997 Defense Appropriations Bill,
ACWA was tasked with identifying and demonstrating "not less than two alternative technologies
to the baseline incineration process for the demilitarization of assembled chemical weapons."
Chemical Weapons Working Group Spokesperson Craig Williams said, "This is a major milestone
in the development of safe, clean disposal methods. The scientific information submitted to this
point shows these alternatives have the ability to treat assembled chemical weapons. Now it's a
matter of getting out in the field and demonstrating them."
The work plans will be reviewed and evaluated between now and the end of June. At that time the
final selection will be made as to which technologies will proceed to the demonstration phase.
Those selected will demonstrate through December of this year with a final report, containing the
information gathered from the demonstrations, due to Congress in April of 1999. An independent
review of these technologies is being conducted by the National Research Council and will be
submitted to lawmakers in April of next year.
Williams said, "The alternatives program is maintaining its schedule and operating well within its
budget with positive results. It's a testimonial to the advantage of having the government and
citizens working together towards a common goal."
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who sponsored the ACWA program language in the 1997
Appropriations Bill said, "The combined efforts of all involved have led to a highly successful
initial phase of the program. I am confident this trend will continue and goal of eliminating the
chemical weapons stockpile in the safest means possible will be realized."
Originally, twelve companies submitted alternative technology proposals. Seven of these passed
the original criteria and were awarded contracts to proceed in the assessment process. The next
evaluation phase was a more detailed look at each technology's capability to treat all the stockpile
components including nerve and blister agents, explosives, propellants, metal parts and packaging
material. Six of the seven technologies have now made it through this phase.
Senator Wendell Ford (D-KY), an active supporter of the ACWA program said, "I think the
Pentagon's announcement is in keeping with what we've said all along: there must be alternatives
to incineration for destroying these weapons. It's a matter of making the effort to find those
alternatives, and hopefully we've finally gotten the Pentagon on the right track."
ACWA Deputy Program Manager, Bill Pehlivanian said, "I'm proud to be associated with
everyone involved in this program. To date, a tremendous effort has been put forth to help ensure
the best chance for a successful demonstration of an alternative technology."
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