Public comments on the conversion of the hazardous waste permit for the Blue Grass main plant are due by Dec. 11, 2019.

“As the plant transitions from systemization into nerve agent destruction operations, the plant’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, Research, Development and Demonstration, or RD&D, permit is being converted to a standard hazardous waste RCRA Part B permit.” said John McArthur, environmental manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “Our mustard-agent destruction operations are already authorized under a RCRA Part B permit.”

While the facility is a pilot plant, with some systems and equipment not common to industry, the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, or KDEP, issued the RD&D permit for the construction, systemization and GB nerve-agent destruction phases of the project, McArthur said. Once GB destruction operations showed that the plant systems were proven to adhere to environmental requirements, the project would have requested a RCRA Part B permit and the plant would have operated under the authority of the standard RCRA Part B permit. However, with the changes to the facility’s treatment processes and with additional changes and modifications planned, all parties felt that the conversion to a RCRA Part B at this point would facilitate future modifications more expeditiously. After extensive KDEP review, the draft RCRA Part B permit and associated documentation is available for public comment before approval.

“Hazardous waste regulations require that proposed hazardous waste permits or modifications include a thorough review of all required information to ensure that all program requirements are met, and that all interested parties have an opportunity to review and comment upon the proposed actions,” said Brandon May, environmental scientist, Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. “Public involvement is encouraged, and comments are welcome.”

Also up for comment are three other Blue Grass-plant related hazardous waste permit modifications and one non-related modification. Comments will be accepted through Dec. 11. Information on how to comment is provided through the above link.