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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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VX Nerve Agent Destruction Begins at Blue Grass Army Depot

Published: January 12, 2021 | Category: BGCAPP News, Program Milestones
VX Nerve Agent Destruction Begins at Blue Grass Army Depot

Two Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant operators work together to remove banding from a 155mm projectile containing VX nerve agent before placing the munition in a tray to begin the destruction process Jan. 8. The first VX 155mm projectiles were destroyed Jan. 10, marking the start of the third of five chemical weapons destruction campaigns at the Blue Grass Army Depot. (A portion of this photograph has been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.)

The first munitions containing VX nerve agent were destroyed at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Jan. 10. This marks the third of five munition destruction campaigns to begin at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

“It has been 12 years since VX nerve agent has been destroyed in the United States chemical weapons stockpile,” said Dr. Candace Coyle, site project manager, BGCAPP. “This achievement is a tribute to the hard work, dedication and teamwork across the mission from employees, partner organizations, community members and advisory groups, especially during a global pandemic.”

“This milestone marks another significant step in the total elimination of nerve agent at the Blue Grass Army Depot,” said Col. Stephen Dorris, depot commander. “I am confident that all safety and environmental compliance measures will be adhered to as professionals all work in tandem to successfully continue the mission, helping rid our nation and the world of these toxic, life-threatening agents from our past.”

Throughout the campaign, BGCAPP personnel will coordinate with the Blue Grass Chemical Activity on transportation of the projectiles to the plant.

“I am proud of our contribution to the successful start of the VX campaign,” said Lt. Col. Edward Williams, BGCA commander. “Our crews safely strapped and loaded the first VX projectiles for delivery to the plant, which marked the beginning of this operation. Our team is honored to be part of this historic milestone.”

The plant will destroy 155mm projectiles containing VX nerve agent through a process called neutralization. Automated equipment takes the munitions apart and drains the chemical agent. The agent is mixed with water and caustic to produce hydrolysate. The hydrolysate is tested by an on-site laboratory to confirm agent destruction. Remaining metal parts from the munitions are thermally heated to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy any residual chemical agent and then are safely recycled.

“As always, safety is our top priority,” said Ron Hink, project manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “The team is ready to safely complete this next step in our mission to destroy Kentucky’s chemical weapons stockpile.”

The chemical weapons stockpile at the depot originally consisted of approximately 523 tons of chemical agent configured in 155mm projectiles containing H mustard or VX nerve agent, 8-inch projectiles containing GB nerve agent, and M55 rockets containing GB or VX nerve agent. On May 11, 2020, BGCAPP completed its first destruction campaign by destroying all 8-inch projectiles containing GB nerve agent. In June 2019, the Static Detonation Chamber, an explosive destruction technology, began destroying the mustard stockpile. To date, more than 64% of the mustard agent has been destroyed. As of Jan. 1, 2021, more than 87 tons of chemical agent have been destroyed in Kentucky.

Operations at BGCAPP have continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic while workers strictly follow additional safety protocols and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended guidelines.

The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives is responsible for destroying the remaining U.S. chemical weapons stockpile in Colorado and Kentucky. The organization oversees the contract for design, construction, systemization, operation and closure of BGCAPP with Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass and subcontractors Amentum, Battelle Memorial Institute and GP Strategies. The project employs more than 1,400 government and contractor personnel.

The stockpile sites in Colorado and Kentucky account for the last 10% of what was originally a national stockpile of more than 30,000 tons of chemical weapons. The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity destroyed the initial 90%, which was stored at seven other sites across the U.S. and on Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Chemical weapons destruction in Colorado began in 2015. Both sites will complete destruction of chemical weapons by Dec. 31, 2023.

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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Recent 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

Safety Videos

  • Blue Grass Plant Medical Staff Stays Prepared

    Blue Grass Plant Medical Staff Stays Prepared

    June 5, 2017
  • Testing Rolls On Inside Kentucky’s Chemical Weapons Destruction

    Testing Rolls On Inside Kentucky’s Chemical Weapons Destruction

    September 23, 2016
  • On-site Medical Facility Prepares to Support Blue Grass Plant

    On-site Medical Facility Prepares to Support Blue Grass Plant

    June 27, 2016
  • Emergency Operations Center Supports Kentucky Chemical Weapons Destruction Project

    Emergency Operations Center Supports Kentucky Chemical Weapons Destruction Project

    April 19, 2016
  • High Angle Training to the Rescue at the Blue Grass Plant

    High Angle Training to the Rescue at the Blue Grass Plant

    January 8, 2016

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