May 25, 2013
Gov. Bob Riley is consulting with Calhoun County officials and emergency management agency directors before signing off on the startup of the chemical weapons incinerator at Anniston Army Depot.
With his signature, limited operations could begin this summer.
County leaders said in a letter to Riley two weeks ago, that it will support the destruction of the chemical weapons, but not until all of U.S. Senator Richard Shelby's safety requirements have been met.
The interim operations plan calls for destroying non-gelled GB nerve agent rockets during off-school hours, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
That method of destruction would remain in place at least until October, when 36 area schools are supposed to be over-pressurized to protect children inside from chemicals released in the event of an accident.
