Blue Grass plant leadership updated researchers from a national advisory institution on project progress in May.

“Our involvement with the Blue Grass plant is important because of the complexity of the project,” said Dr. Gary Groenewold, chair, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Chemical Demilitarization. “We visit this project and its sister site in Pueblo, Colorado, on a regular basis to receive updates and provide expert advice. It’s always good to get a second opinion when dealing with a project of this technical magnitude, and we can help the project look a step ahead.”

The committee consists of 15 members with highly technical backgrounds that correlate with Blue Grass functions, such as engineering, chemistry, environmental permitting and public involvement, Groenewold said.

“The knowledge and experience provided by the committee members help us consider our next steps as we progress through systemization,” said Jeff Brubaker, site project manager, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “They provide valuable input on systems and processes, and can recommend subcommittees to assist us with specific issues such as equipment decontamination.”

These experts can be called upon to conduct studies on specific subjects, which can help clarify issues or provide viable options, Brubaker said. The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program has requested such studies several times in the past.