The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) has completed destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) in Colorado, which consisted of 780,089 chemical weapons containing mustard agent. The Colorado stockpile included three chemical munition types: 155mm and 105mm projectiles and 4.2-inch mortar rounds.

Project Update:

• Kingston Reif, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control, and Irene Kornelly, chair, Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission, spoke about the recent elimination of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile during a webinar sponsored by the Arms Control Association and the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition Sept. 29.

• All treaty and surety obligations are complete at the Pueblo plant after verification activities confirmed all chemical weapons and their components have been destroyed.
• Safety stand-downs and other safety training activities are being conducted to reinforce OSHA industrial requirements that are important during a de-construction period. Field-focused exercises verify readiness for increased flow of materials/wastes and supervisor training enhances communication and reinforces pause work authority.
• Five PCAPP employees represented PCAPP at the Voluntary Protection Program Safety Symposium 2023 in Orlando, Florida, a national educational event for VPP worksites to achieve and maintain safety and health excellence. The Safety Symposium offers VPP participants the opportunity to engage with fellow attendees to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives and grow professionally.

Closure-related Activities:

• A public meeting hosted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Sept. 27 provided a status update on the draft Closure Plan. The closure plan must be approved by CDPHE for PCAPP to start closure activities.

The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting will be held online at 3 p.m. MT on Oct. 25.

Individuals interested in joining online may participate using the link and information below.

To join by computer:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84432791550
To join by phone, call: 1 (719) 359-4580

Meeting ID:  844 3279 1550#

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant is a facility built to destroy the chemical weapons stockpile formerly stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot. (This video portrays PCAPP operations prior to the June 22, 2023, completion of destruction of the stockpile in Colorado.) The main plant used neutralization followed by biotreatment and was supplemented by Static Detonation Chamber units to destroy the mustard agent munitions. With destruction operations complete, the safety of the workforce, neighboring communities and the environment during the closure phase is the project’s priority.