Citizens are invited to comment on an environmental permit modification request to revise stack monitoring levels when a facility returns to service at the Blue Grass plant later this year.
The Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office will host a public meeting for this permit modification request at 5:30 p.m. May 18 at 1000 Commercial Drive, Suite 2, in Richmond, Kentucky.
The request, provided to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KDEP), is to modify the way the off-gas treatment system stack emissions are monitored at the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 to reduce false-positive readings that could create unnecessary safety hazards for workers. It is part of completing conversion of the SDC 1200 to destroy containerized VX nerve agent rocket warheads previously drained of their agent in the main plant.
“The exhaust from the off-gas treatment system process stack is too moisture-laden and runs the risk of damaging sensitive monitoring equipment,” said Bill Buchanan, environmental permitting manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “Sampling in these conditions can be difficult and will require the use of a dilution air system to ensure sampling can be performed reliably and not cause damage to these highly sensitive monitoring instruments. KDEP’s approval of this permit modification request will allow BGCAPP to mix in conditioned, dry air with the moisture-laden process air to reduce the moisture content and allow for accurate monitoring of the stack emissions.”
The SDC 1200 is scheduled to begin operation in fall 2023.
Information about these permit modification requests can be found on the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives website. The 60-day public comment period closes June 19.
The meeting location is wheelchair accessible. For those who might need assistance during the meeting, please submit requests for alternate formats, sign language interpreters and other reasonable accommodations as soon as possible but no later than May 16 via email to Mark York at mhyork@bechtel.com.
