Stop Shipment of VX nerve agent to Port Arthur, TX
More than 1,200 tons of VX nerve agent is stored in Newport, Indiana and the U.S. Army has been sending this material to Port Arthur, TX. The nerve gas is being neutralized on location in Indiana and the Army wants to have the toxic waste water byproduct, hydrolysate, incinerated at the Veolia treatment plant in West Port Arthur where nearly 375,000 gallons has already been transported.
The facility's location in Port Arthur, a predominantly poor, African American community brings up questions of environmental racism-whereby companies and government agencies site- whether purposefully or
intentionally- polluting industries in low-income, minority communities.
The main concerns of communities opposing the shipments and disposal of this hazardous waste are:
- Environmental degradation from the wastewater
- Potential health risks from chemicals
- VX nerve agent presence/reformation in wastewater
- Odors/lowering property values
- Impact on local fishing/other edible aquatic life
- Potential spills/hijackings during shipment
Currently, U.S. District Judge Larry McKinney is expected to set a ruling on whether to prohibit the transfer of the neutralized VX agent across some 900 miles of roadway.
The Army estimates that more than 300 additional truckloads of hydrolysate will be needed to haul away the remaining waste Newport's VX neutralization is expected to produce.
Our Request:
We respectfully ask Congress and the EPA to stop the Army's transportation of VX hydrolysate across state boundaries and over interstate roadways. Help us protect the citizens of Port Arthur, Texas.
Supporting Organizations:
TEXPIRG, Community In-Power Development Association, SEED Coalition, Public Citizen, Texas Environmental Justice and Advocacy Services, Global Community Monitoring, Gulf Coast Restoration Network, Environmental Law & Justice Clinic (TSU), Texas Campaign for the Environment, Environment Texas and the Chemical Weapons Working Group.
More than 1,200 tons of VX nerve agent is stored in Newport, Indiana and the U.S. Army has been sending this material to Port Arthur, TX. The nerve gas is being neutralized on location in Indiana and the Army wants to have the toxic waste water byproduct, hydrolysate, incinerated at the Veolia treatment plant in West Port Arthur where nearly 375,000 gallons has already been transported.
The facility's location in Port Arthur, a predominantly poor, African American community brings up questions of environmental racism-whereby companies and government agencies site- whether purposefully or
intentionally- polluting industries in low-income, minority communities.
The main concerns of communities opposing the shipments and disposal of this hazardous waste are:
- Environmental degradation from the wastewater
- Potential health risks from chemicals
- VX nerve agent presence/reformation in wastewater
- Odors/lowering property values
- Impact on local fishing/other edible aquatic life
- Potential spills/hijackings during shipment
Currently, U.S. District Judge Larry McKinney is expected to set a ruling on whether to prohibit the transfer of the neutralized VX agent across some 900 miles of roadway.
The Army estimates that more than 300 additional truckloads of hydrolysate will be needed to haul away the remaining waste Newport's VX neutralization is expected to produce.
Our Request:
We respectfully ask Congress and the EPA to stop the Army's transportation of VX hydrolysate across state boundaries and over interstate roadways. Help us protect the citizens of Port Arthur, Texas.
Supporting Organizations:
TEXPIRG, Community In-Power Development Association, SEED Coalition, Public Citizen, Texas Environmental Justice and Advocacy Services, Global Community Monitoring, Gulf Coast Restoration Network, Environmental Law & Justice Clinic (TSU), Texas Campaign for the Environment, Environment Texas and the Chemical Weapons Working Group.
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Good luck to you in this effort. I lend my support.
This is not only a social justice issue but also an environmental one as well. Do not forsake the opportunity to take the high road and NOT dump your poisons on poor communities, water bodies, and land that could be harmed by them. Just because they do not have legal recourse or cannot speak for themselves does not mean that it gives you the right or the privilege to do whatever you please.
Enough already. The Army should have no say in anything regarding the environment. NO. NO. NO.
Although somewhat more costly, chemical detoxification can be done at the site of origin, without the risk of transport and the ensuing probability of environmental pollution.
