Army ammunition plant tops Virginia polluter list ... again

RADFORD, Va. — An Army ammunition plant has once again topped the list of polluters in Virginia.

According to The Roanoke Times, a report issued this week by Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality found that the Radford Army Ammunition Plant accounts for 34 percent of the total on-site releases of all 2016 toxic release inventory chemicals reported by facilities statewide.

The facility makes ammunition and bombs for the military through private company BAE Systems. A drone study also found pollutants at higher-than-expected levels.

RAAP Commander Lt. Col. James Scott recently announced an initiative to reduce waste treated at the arsenal’s open burning ground by 50 percent by 2023. Plant staff said at a March 22 public meeting that a design for an incinerator to consume most of its munitions waste is nearing completion.

Information from: The Roanoke Times, http://www.roanoke.com

In Other News

As the VA secretary departs, focus remains on outreach, trust

VA care and benefits have seen signifcant growth in recent years, a trend that the outgoing secretary hopes will continue.

Advocates fear dismantling of DOD’s extremism prevention, DEI programs

Trump’s choice for defense secretary said DEI programs eroded the military's values and described anti-extremism policies as a "purge."

Opinion

Why the military’s approach to its suicide epidemic is failing

In this opinion piece, the chairman of Boulder Crest Foundation argues that current military suicide prevention efforts are falling short.

VA acknowledges significant errors in budget shortfall predictions

Department leaders had warned of funding gaps of up to $18 billion but now believe those estimates were too high.

Women in combat ‘proficient,’ SecDef says, dismissing calls for change

Austin praised women in the military and said they should not be removed from front-line fighting posts.

Load More