Two local officials believe that the chemical weapons disposal plant in Anniston, Ala., should not be shuttered when it finishes destroying the site's stockpile of lethal warfare materials, the Associated Press reported last week (see GSN, Jan. 5).
(Jan. 6) -
Munitions Handler Chris Moore prepares to destroy the final VX-filled land mine last month at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama (U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency).
Nearly 1,000 jobs would be lost when the U.S. Army's Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility completes operations, according to Calhoun County Commission Chairman Eli Henderson. "We have all those people out there, experts on hand, resources and money tied up in it," Henderson, whose county houses the plant, told the Anniston Star.
The incinerator began operations in 2003 and last month completed destruction of all nerve agent weapons stored at the Anniston Army Depot. It is set next to begin eliminating mustard blister agent.
The plant has experienced no major mishaps and could be used to process blister agent stored at other U.S. sites, Henderson said. Such chemical materials would pose no greater threat than other materials that today are moved along U.S. roadways, he argued.
Anniston Mayor Gene Robinson supports Henderson's position, which is opposed by Alabama Governor Bob Riley and other officials.
Federal and state environmental rules and hazardous waste permits would have to be revised to allow the transportation. Putting the material on the road opens the door to shipping mishaps, air quality troubles and stigmatization of the Anniston area, according to Calhoun County Commissioner Robert Downing.
"I can't understand why we would want to continue to suffer the negative perception of our community," he said (Associated Press/Birmingham News, Jan. 1).