Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology personnel have re-started facility work after supplemental funding was received and allocated.

“This funding enables us to get this facility ready for testing and eventual operations,” said Jeff Brubaker, site project manager, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “We’re working to move forward and get it online.”

Most of the facility systems are still in lay-up while the workforce is busy finishing previously suspended work, said Chad Hieronimus, shift plant manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. Staff will complete remaining worklist items over the next few months, purchase spare parts for the Static Detonation Chamber and prepare systems for turn-over to start-up.

Before testing begins, the systems will be removed from lay-up. Technicians will then perform a series of tests to ensure the system still works as designed after the lay-up period before progressing into more in-depth systemization activities.

“I’m excited about this,” Hieronimus said. “I’ve been on this project since the initial design phase, so I am glad we are moving again and making another step forward to satisfy the commitment we made to the community to safely destroy these chemical weapons.”

The Static Detonation Chamber will destroy the Kentucky mustard munitions stockpile.