The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) facility received system and site safety plan approvals in April.

“These approvals were some of the main things that needed to be finalized while the EDT is in lay-up, so we can be prepared for operations,” said Steve Bragg, deputy plant manager for EDT, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “First, the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board reviewed our system design, processes and safety plans, worked with us to make some changes, and then gave us their approval.”

The effort took approximately two years of work by engineering, operations, systems safety and other personnel, Bragg said. The secondary step, approval of the Site Plan Safety Submission, was accomplished in April. Together, these approvals mark the complete safety package for the EDT system.

“With the rigor of these approvals, these evaluations give us confidence that the right level of oversight has been given and we will have a high level of safety,” said Jeff Brubaker, site project manager, BGCAPP. “The safety of our workers, the community and the environment is paramount, and these approvals are another example of our strong focus in that area.”

Brubaker said he expects EDT operations to destroy the Blue Grass mustard munitions stockpile will commence after the main plant completes nerve agent destruction.