US Completes Destruction Activities At Two More Stockpile Sites

U.S. Permanent Representative Robert P. Mikulak today reported that United States has completed destruction activities at two more stockpile sites.

“For the United States, the safe and environmentally sound destruction of more than 27 thousand metric tons of assorted chemical weapons has been an enormous challenge. The United States has made significant strides towards meeting this challenge, and I am proud to report on these achievements.” -Mr. Mikulak

He noted that the United States has met the 1 percent, 20 percent, and 45 percent treaty milestones. He said the United States has destroyed more than 89 percent of its Category 1 chemical weapons. The United States has also destroyed all of its former chemical weapons production facilities.

He announced On September 22, 2011, the United States completed destruction of all chemical weapons at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Alabama. And on October 25, 2011, the United States completed destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile at Umatilla, Oregon.

“This brings the number of chemical weapons destruction facilities that have completed operations to six. Now the United States has only one chemical weapons destruction facility operating, at Tooele, Utah, with two additional sites under construction.” -Mr. Mikulak

He noted that the destruction at Tooele is 99.9 percent complete and will be finished before the final extended deadline of April 2012.

“To date, the United States has expended an estimated 23.7 billion dollars for the destruction of chemical weapons in the United States.” -Mr. Mikulak

He stressed that over many years, the United States has addressed and resolved complex safety and environmental concerns raised by state and local authorities, as well as local citizens living near its chemical weapons storage and destruction facilities.