Fuel Plant Expects to Reopen Soon
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HENDERSON, Nev. — Officials of Kerr-McGee Corp. say they hope to resume production of a critical rocket fuel oxidizer within days after complying with recommendations made by a six-member safety team.
The Kerr-McGee plant was closed after explosions destroyed the nation’s only other ammonium perchlorate plant, Pacific Engineering & Production Co., on May 4, killing two people and injuring 326.
The safety panel was formed to review the Kerr-McGee operation. Safety officials said the safeguards recommended in their review could be carried out within one week, and Kerr-McGee officials said they will begin production soon afterward.
Kerr-McGee Senior Vice President Tom McDaniel said the company is under no pressure from the federal government to resume production, although it is the only plant in the nation now capable of producing ammonium perchlorate, an oxidizer used in the space shuttle and military rockets.
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