Gov. Don Siegelman will delay his legal effort to stop the startup of the chemical weapons incinerator until next week, a spokeswoman said Friday.
Last week, Siegelman announced plans to take action against the Army-built facility unless the federal government pays $40.5 million for emergency preparedness as the Pentagon directed in November. Siegelman said he would file the lawsuit by early this week.
"Obviously, there is significant work that goes into it and certain legal theory that has to be considered, so they are ironing out the details to accomplish the intended goal," said Carrie Kurlander, the governor's press secretary. "I guess it's taken a little longer than we thought."
Siegelman has sided with Calhoun County officials in their long-running dispute with the Army and Federal Emergency Management Agency over what is necessary to prepare the community for an accident at the Anniston Army Depot's chemical weapons stockpile or the incinerator that was built to destroy it.
Siegelman also penned a letter to the head of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management asking for 10 days notice of any hearings related to the incinerator's permits.
