The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA) oversaw the safe and environmentally compliant destruction of the remaining U.S. chemical weapons stockpile formerly located at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) in Pueblo, Colorado, and the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) near Richmond, Kentucky. The last chemical weapon in the U.S. stockpile was destroyed July 7, 2023, at BGAD. PEO ACWA is now responsible for the safe, environmentally protective and compliant closure of the destruction facilities in Colorado and Kentucky.

Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) safely destroyed chemical weapons formerly stored at PCD. Technology known as neutralization followed by biotreatment was used to destroy most of the mustard agent contained in projectiles. PCAPP also employed three Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) units to augment the main plant by destroying problematic munitions. The last munition was destroyed at PCAPP June 22, 2023, in an SDC unit.

PCAPP encompasses approximately 85 acres within PCD, including the main plant facilities and the SDC complex.

Now the chemical weapons have been destroyed, the plant is in the closure phase, which consists of decontamination, decommissioning, dispositioning of property, demolition and administrative close out. The property the plant occupied, as well as the rest of the depot, will eventually be turned over to PuebloPlex, the local redevelopment authority, to advance economic development within the community.

Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) safely destroyed chemical weapons formerly stored at BGAD. The Blue Grass Chemical Activity (BGCA) was responsible for the safekeeping of chemical weapons in storage. Neutralization was used to destroy the nerve agent stockpile. SDC units augmented the main plant in destroying the entire mustard munitions stockpile, containerized drained rocket warheads, rockets found not suitable for processing in the main plant and overpacked munitions.

BGCAPP encompasses approximately 73 acres within BGAD including the main plant facilities and two SDC sites. BGCAPP is now in the closure phase, which consists of decontamination, decommissioning, dispositioning of property, demolition and administrative close out. The SDC units are destroying agent-contaminated secondary waste as part of this phase. BGCA will also undergo a closure process. BGAD will continue its conventional weapons missions beyond the closure of BGCAPP and BGCA.