CHEMICAL WEAPONS WORKING GROUP
for more information contact:
for immediate release July 2, 1998:
U.S. SENATE AUTHORIZES $18 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT
The United States Senate has approved $18 million to continue demonstration
The bipartisan action, initiated by Senators Wendell Ford (D-KY) and Mitch
The ACWA program was established in 1996 under the Defense Appropriations
In his statement supporting their proposal, Senator McConnell said the reason
What the legislation won't do is stop the incineration program from moving
Citizens living near the nine U.S. chemical weapons stockpile sites are
David Christian, with Serving Alabama's Future Environment,
-- 30 --
PO Box 467 Berea, KY 40403
(606) 986-7565 (606) 986-2695 (f) kefwilli@acs.eku.edu
Craig Williams, (606) 986-7565
ALTERNATIVES TO CHEMICAL WEAPONS INCINERATION
and implementation of safe, cost-effective technologies for destroying the
nation's chemical weapons stockpile without incineration. The Senate Defense
Authorization language parallels legislation previously adopted by the House of
Representatives through Alabama Representative Bob Riley.
McConnell (R-KY), is designed to accelerate the Assembled Chemical Weapons
Assessment (ACWA) Program, independent of the Army's plans to build
incinerators to burn nerve and mustard agent. Under ACWA, six technologies
are currently being evaluated. An announcement of those which meet criteria
for proceeding to the demonstration phase is expected in early July.
Act (DAA), with the mission of identifying and demonstrating no less than two
alternative technologies to incineration for assembled chemical weapons stored
at six sites in the U.S. The DAA language also prohibited funding for
incineration construction in Kentucky and Colorado until the alternatives
demonstration program has been completed.
for continuing with the alternatives program is because he "remain[s]
disappointed with the Army's incineration program," and that if safe
alternatives can be found, "Congress should support that endeavor." Senator
Ford noted that development of a non-incineration technology "will be a
tremendous victory for the citizens of central Kentucky."
forward at the other stockpile sites. Incinerator construction has already
begun in Alabama and Oregon, while a draft permit for an incinerator in
Arkansas was released on June 28th. Chemical weapons incinerators in the
Pacific and in Utah have been plagued with shutdowns due to technical and
operational problems, including releases of live chemical agent into the
environment.
encouraged with the Congressional support for alternatives, and will continue
to fight incineration. Chemical Weapons Working Group spokesperson Craig
Williams stated "The continued funding of the ACWA program demonstrates
the viability of alteratives to incineration. It is encouraging that Congress
recognizes the need to continue this effort. These funds will ensure ACWA's
ability to transition from demonstrations to implementation without wasting
time. "
stated, "Even as the alternative technologies program is moving
forward, foundations for incinerators are being laid in Alabama and Oregon. If
safer technologies are available for Maryland, Indiana and being developed for
Kentucky and Colorado, they should be made available to all chemical weapons
sites."
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