MIC or methyl isocyanate is the chemical blamed for the deaths of as many as 8,000 people in the Bhopal, India disaster back in 1984.
MIC was not involved in the explosion that killed two Bayer employees last year.
But since then federal investigators determined the explosion happened close by the above ground unit where the MIC was stored.
Nearby residents as well as state and local leaders loudly criticized the plant’s safety and response following the incident.
Plant officials say the move announced Wednesday is just good business.
Bayer Crop Science will spend $25 million to reduce the amount of MIC that is stored at the Institute plant by 80%. They also plan to store all of the remaining MIC below ground.
“I don’t think people should have had a reason to feel unsafe before,” said Bayer CropScience President Bill Buckner. “However we feel like we need to continue to earn our right to operate in the community.”
After the deadly explosion a year ago, West Virginia’s congressional leaders, along with local officials and members of the public called for change. Buckner says he hope the this move will ease their neighbor’s concerns.
“Ee’ve taken all these concerns into consideration that have come from congressional sub-committees and feel like we are addressing those concerns with these changes,” Buckner said.
The reduction will take place over the next year and will involve removing the existing bulk storage tank and replacing it with a smaller one. As part of the plan the company also announcement it will not reconstruct the methomyl facility that was involved in the explosion last year.
Plant officials say the move is not expected to result in the loss of any jobs.