Alternatives to incinerating chemical weapons will work in Kentucky, a report by the National Research Council concludes.
Opponents of incineration cite the NRC's analysis as confirmation that there are other ways of destroying chemical weapons, including those stored here at the Anniston Army Depot.
The NRC released its findings this week. The report says neutralization is a "mature, safe and effective" way to initially treat chemical weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky.
"It is ready for immediate implementation for the neutralization of energetics and (nerve and mustard) agents," the report read. It added, however, that hazardous materials produced from the destruction process would need additional treatment before being released into the environment.
Several forms of neutralization were included in the report. The NRC committee studying them made no comparisons between the proposed alternatives. Nor did it compare them with incineration.
"This report is the piece of the equation that we've all been waiting for as we move forward toward safe disposal," said Craig Williams, director of the Berea, Ky.-based Chemical Weapons Working Group, a coalition of organizations that oppose incineration.
"For a long time in Kentucky we've had overwhelming citizen support for alternatives, and recently the governor-appointed Citizens Advisory Commission and our entire U.S. Congressional delegation formally rejected incineration," Williams said. "Now we have the science of the NRC to back up our position."
"It's a big step," Williams said.
An Anniston opponent of incineration echoed Williams' comments.
"The NRC report confirms what we have been saying for years - that a non-incineration alternative can viably destroy our stockpile and should be retrofitted to our incineration plant," said Brenda Lindell of Families Concerned About Nerve Gas Incineration.
She argues that Alabama should get the same level of protection as Kentucky - a means of destroying agent that excludes incineration.
Army officials at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility have not seen the report, which was released officially Thursday.
"Because of that, I don't have anything to offer at this time," said Mike Abrams, spokesman for the facility.
