Udall, Bennet Praise Pentagon Plans to Speed Destruction of Weapons at Pueblo Chemical Depot

Press Release

Pentagon Budget Would Speed up Destruction of Weapons by 3 Years

Today, U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet welcomed the news that the Pentagon plans to fully fund the chemical weapons disposal project at the Pueblo Chemical Depot, speeding up the destruction of the weapons stored there by three years.

The Pentagon's budget proposal, announced today, increases funding for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program by $250 million over funding levels projected for this year, for a total of $550.4 million. The increased funding will enable the Pentagon to finish weapons destruction and clean-up at Pueblo Chemical Depot by the Congressionally mandated date of 2017. Indications are that if the schedule laid out in the budget is followed and funding requirements met, the project could be sped up even more over coming years.

Destruction of the chemical weapons is mandated under the international Chemical Weapons Convention. The Convention requires that the weapons be destroyed by 2012, but previous administrations have repeatedly cut funding and delayed the project, saying that the work may not be done until 2020 or later.

"This accelerated schedule is the first good news we've heard about the Pentagon's plans for the Depot in many years," said Senator Udall, who has pushed the federal government to fully fund destruction at the Depot for years. "We have seen budget cuts and broken promises slow progress on the destruction of these weapons for too long. But if the Administration's proposal is followed, the federal government will finally keep faith with the people of Pueblo. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I'm going to fight to hold the Pentagon to its plans, to ensure that Congress fully funds this effort, and to see that we complete the clean-up in Pueblo."

"The Pentagon's decision to accelerate weapons destruction at the Depot is welcome news," Senator Bennet said. "The Pentagon's budget proposal will provide the necessary funds to do the job. But we also need to make sure this does not become another broken promise, that the job gets done, and that this long-overdue process can finally come to an end."

The stockpile includes mustard gas, as well as other dangerous agents. In addition to working for funding to keep the destruction on track, Udall has fought to guarantee that all of the work is done on-site, preventing further delays, and ensuring local jobs for the people of Pueblo.

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