Minor Permit Modifications Routine Business for Plant

A technician watches as a tray of test projectile bodies moves through the Metal Parts Treater (MPT) for a conveyor alignment check at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The MPT Surrogate Test Plan was the subject of a recent Class 1 modification to the plant’s hazardous waste permit.
A technician watches as a tray of test projectile bodies moves through the Metal Parts Treater (MPT) for a conveyor alignment check at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The MPT Surrogate Test Plan was the subject of a recent Class 1 modification to the plant’s hazardous waste permit.

Blue Grass plant staff distributed a list of minor permit modifications to project stakeholders July 31. The notices are distributed on a quarterly basis.

“These Class 1 modifications are very common, especially with such a complex facility,” said Dale Burton, environmental control supervisor, Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, known as KDEP. “They run the gamut from updating contact information to making an addendum to a test plan.”

Class 1 modifications are minor changes within the plant’s permits, regulated by the state through KDEP, and may or may not require agency approval depending on the subject, Burton said. These modifications fall under the facility’s hazardous waste permit. Blue Grass personnel work closely with KDEP to ensure the protection of the workforce, community and environment through the regulation of plant design, construction, testing, operation and closure under these permits.

“KDEP has been with us every step of the way,” said Bill Buchanan, environmental permitting manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “We will be working hand-in-hand with them all the way through the closure phase and as we close out the permits when the project is complete.”

Recent Class 1 modifications include acceptance of design changes made to process flows in the hydrolysate storage area, structural notes on the Explosive Destruction Technology Enclosure Building design and piping and instrumentation design for the Munitions Demilitarization Building tray transfer conveyor, Burton said.

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