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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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Busy Start to 2023 Sets Pace for Blue Grass Mission

Published: January 30, 2023 | Category: BGCAPP News
Two workers unload GB nerve agent M55 rockets from an Enhanced On-site Container in the Unpack Area for destruction in the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Two workers unload GB nerve agent M55 rockets from an Enhanced On-site Container in the Unpack Area for destruction in the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Starting the year with several major projects complete or almost complete at the Blue Grass plant, program officials explained plans for 2023 during a Dec. 14 public meeting of the Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and the Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board.

“Projecting where we’re going, this could be the last time that we talk from an operational perspective in the December timeframe,” said Michael Abaie, program executive officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, during the meeting. “Hopefully, by this time next year, we have things completed. That’s my goal, that’s my desire.”

The year began with the start of operations in the Static Detonation Chamber, or SDC, 2000. The SDC 2000 is destroying overpacked rockets that have leaked in the past, rockets deemed unsuitable for processing in the main plant and de-mated containerized, undrained rocket warheads.

The unit also will destroy containerized rocket warheads that have been drained of GB nerve agent in the main plant. Plant administrators said its technology enhances worker safety and supports the United States’ obligation to fulfill the treaty commitment.

The project also has filed environmental permits to convert the SDC 2000’s Earth-Covered Magazine to handle problematic rockets that have gelled or crystallized agent or other issues that make them unsuitable for processing in the main plant. The proposed permit includes using equipment already in use in the main plant to examine rockets and process the warheads for destruction.

The SDC 1200, originally used to destroy mustard-agent projectiles, continues being retrofitted to destroy containerized, drained rocket warheads that contain residual VX nerve agent. Administrators say the SDC 1200 is expected to be in operation later this year.

The progress puts the operation closer to the goal of safely eliminating the last of the nation’s chemical weapons stockpile by the Sept. 30, 2023, Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment, Abaie said. Those operational strides also have management preparing for the closure phase.

“A lot of paper already has gone into getting ready for closure, a lot of planning, a lot of reviews,” said Ron Hink, project manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass, during the same public meeting. “We’ve got that going well ahead of the need, so we’re getting out in front of it.”

As of Jan. 29, more than 43% of the GB nerve agent M55 rockets have been destroyed. Those are the last remaining munitions at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

More BGCAPP News Articles

  • A skid of containerized, drained rocket warheads stands in the Static Detonation Chamber 2000 Enclosure Building to await destruction.

    Permit Modification Request to Increase Feed Rate Open to Public Comment

    Published: February 6, 2023
  • Operators move hoses to prepare for the transfer of hydrolysate into a truck tanker trailer at the Tanker Loading Station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Blue Grass Plant Marks Secondary Waste Destruction Milestone

    Published: October 21, 2022
  • Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant crews inspect containerized drained rocket warheads before they are shipped to temporary storage.

    Public Comment Sought on Blue Grass Permit Modification

    Published: August 25, 2022
  • Workers install portions of the automated loading system for the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 in the SDC 2000 Enclosure Building April 4. This equipment will take the place of human munitions handlers in loading containerized or overpacked munitions and components into the chamber for destruction.

    State Regulator Approves Two Blue Grass Permit Modifications

    Published: May 23, 2022
  • 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
SDC, SDC 2000, Static Detonation Chamber, Static Detonation Chamber 2000

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