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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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      Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP)

      BGCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky.

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      Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)

      PCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

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Plant Enhancements Prompt Permitting Updates

Published: September 26, 2017 | Category: BGCAPP News, Environment
A Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant startup team member and a contractor test a robot as it moves a hopper in the Explosive Containment Room. The plant has 59 independent systems that must be integrated and tested during the systemization phase.

A Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant startup team member and a contractor test a robot as it moves a hopper in the Explosive Containment Room. The plant has 59 independent systems that must be integrated and tested during the systemization phase.

Testing of equipment and procedures at the Blue Grass plant has led to an array of enhancements and permitting updates discussed during a public meeting Sept. 13 in Richmond, Kentucky.

“I feel personally like a significant amount of progress can be seen here now,” said Craig Williams, co-chair, Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board. “With 59 independent systems to integrate it’s going to be challenging, but my confidence is very high.”

As the Blue Grass team continues to test all of its systems and processes they must submit permit modification requests to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KDEP). The department is ultimately responsible for signing off on final environmental permits for the U.S. Army and its contractors to operate the chemical demilitarization plant.

“We have a lot of things under review right now – it’s a pretty busy time,” said Dale Burton, Blue Grass Army Depot Section, KDEP.

The state’s environmental department is processing paperwork for the sixth revision to the plant’s Research, Development and Demonstration permit, which will transition permitting documents to a standard format, Burton said. They are also reviewing a Class 2 modification to the same permit, which covers the removal of the plant’s munitions washout system and the removal of cyanide formation from the destruction process. In addition, the department is working on the main plant’s waste analysis plan, a GB sampling modification and almost 20 more minor modifications.

“Revisions are a standard part of business as things change at a site,” Burton said after the meeting. “As plant engineers and technicians make additions, deletions or changes to equipment and processes, based on their testing and observations, it can change permit language and conditions. We work with the Blue Grass plant to incorporate these changes and ensure we continue to protect the workforce, community and environment.”

Blue Grass Permitting Information

For additional information on permitting visit the Blue Grass environmental activities page.

More BGCAPP Environment Articles

  • Workers remove used carbon filters from the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology air filtration system for disposal as hazardous waste.

    Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    Published: April 19, 2022
  • Workers pass a piece of plywood up the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 stairs in preparation for opening the roof to allow a new piece of equipment to be lowered into the building. The building passed decontamination verification testing in January, which means workers do not have to wear chemical protective gear as they prepare for the system’s next activity.

    Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    Published: March 1, 2022
  • Workers drill holes for structural steel placement on the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 Off-gas Treatment System Building foundation at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. A public comment period is open through March 16 for a permit modification request for this system.

    Comment Period Open for Public Input on Draft Environmental Permit

    Published: February 23, 2022
  • A worker guides a crane after its placement of the thermal oxidizer for the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 unit at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC 1200 requires a completely new off-gas treatment system in order to process drained, containerized VX nerve-agent warheads.

    New Pollution Abatement System Under Construction

    Published: August 30, 2021
  • A forklift operator is guided by spotters as he loads a crate of non-contaminated rocket motors onto a truck at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant July 20. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection has opened a public comment period for plant modification requests that include additional storage space for the motors.

    Public Comment Period Open for Hydrolysate Shipment, Rocket Motor Storage

    Published: July 29, 2021
  • A truck and tank trailer sit in the tanker loading station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Project Managers to Discuss Hydrolysate Shipment at June 9 Public Meeting

    Published: June 3, 2021
  • A deer browses in an experimental plot of American chestnut trees on the Blue Grass Army Depot near the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The depot is a partner in a conservation project to propagate blight-resistant versions of the American chestnut tree.

    Blue Grass Partner Assists with Conservation Effort

    Published: April 30, 2021
  • Technicians program a Rocket Warhead Containerization System robot inside the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in February. This equipment is the subject of one of four Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection permit modification requests currently in a public comment period.

    Public Involvement Opportunities for Permit Modification Requests

    Published: April 5, 2021
  • Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modification Requests

    Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modification Requests

    Published: January 28, 2021
  • First-Time Filter Change Activity

    First-Time Filter Change Activity

    Published: December 29, 2020
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Related News

  • Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – April 2022

    Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – April 2022

    May 2, 2022
  • Entire U.S. Stockpile of VX Nerve Agent Eliminated

    Entire U.S. Stockpile of VX Nerve Agent Eliminated

    April 20, 2022
  • Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    April 19, 2022
  • U.S. Chemical Demilitarization Transparency Event Held for International Organization

    U.S. Chemical Demilitarization Transparency Event Held for International Organization

    March 31, 2022
  • BGCAPP Monthly Recap – March 2022

    BGCAPP Monthly Recap – March 2022

    March 31, 2022

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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)