Watchdog group refutes Army's claims
By Ronica Brandenburg/Register News Writer

The Berea-based Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) joined several other organizations from across America Tuesday to refute the Army's response to a proposal regarding safe disposal of chemical waste.

Sixteen citizens groups from Indiana, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky recommended the waste at Indiana's chemical weapons disposal plant be treated on-site instead of being shipped to an off-site commercial facility. All groups are of a grassroots effort to ensure America's stored chemical weapons are disposed in the safest manner possible to both citizens and the environment.

Michael Parker, director of the Army's Chemical Materials Agency, responded to the groups' proposal on Sept. 27, and now the 16 agencies are firing back with another letter addressing several “distortions and factual inaccuracies” contained in the Army's response.

The CWWG, along with the other citizens groups, are suggesting that the VX hydrolysate (waste produced from the disposal of VX nerve agent) be destroyed on the premises rather than being shipped to another facility.

This decision is based on several factors, including the historical and current controversy associated with transportation of such waste through communities, significant uncertainties surrounding the capability to safely transport such waste and the negative local economic impact of off-site versus on-site treatment.

A disposal method called supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) is being recommended. This process involves cooking the nerve agents with high temperatures and pressure. It leaves behind a salt that will be taken to a hazardous waste landfill.

In the Army's response letter, Parker claims Indiana citizens show a significant amount of support for off-site shipment.

“While the Army stated that there was ‘universal' and continuing community support in Indiana for off-site treatment, post 9/11, just the opposite is true,” said Craig Williams, director of the CWWG. “Today's letter identified significant opposition from citizen groups, local unions, elected officials and local governments in Indiana.”

The groups' letter also indicated that the Army had given “gross exaggerations” surrounding cost savings.

“Although the Army concludes that transportation of the waste to (another facility) would be more cost-efficient, they have so far presented no actual anticipated cost savings that would serve as a basis for such a conclusion,” Williams said.

The Army claims Indiana residents agree to off-site shipment, but Kentucky residents, along with the CWWG, have shown the Army the opposite.

“All major technical issues have been resolved over the last five years to the point that the Army recently approved the SCWO for (on-site) treatment in Kentucky,” Williams said.

The Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board (CDCAB) met in September to receive updates about the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant, the status of M55 rocket separation to prevent fires and disposal methods for hazardous wastes.

The facility's design must be 60 percent complete by February 2006 and is meant to reduce costs and speed the process of destroying chemical weapons. About 800 employees will be needed once the facility is constructed.

The previous plant design, to destroy the weapons and dispose of them on-site, called for 99,000 square feet; however, the redesign has decreased the size to around 69,000 square feet.

The current cost for the plant is estimated at approximately $2 billion.

Ronica Brandenburg can be reached at rbrandenburg@ richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.