The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or PCAPP, is in the closure phase. From 2015 to 2023, the PCAPP team destroyed more than 780,000 projectiles and mortar rounds containing 2,613 tons of blister agent mustard. The last chemical weapon in the stockpile in Colorado was destroyed June 22, 2023. The Pueblo plant will be in the closure phase for approximately three years.
The last chemical munition in the declared U.S. stockpile was destroyed July 7, 2023, in Richmond, Kentucky.
Highlights
- Shut down industrial operations boilers and installed one temporary boiler, with a second arriving in August, to better match reduced footprint and closure needs.
- Shipped more than 158,000 pounds of closure waste to permitted hazardous waste facilities in Deer Trail, Colorado, and near Port Arthur, Texas, between Jan. 1 and July 22.
Safety
- As of June 30, 2024, completed 3,618,671 hours and 472 days without a lost-time accident.
- Completed Unventilated Monitoring Tests in the Explosive Containment Rooms and installed six chemical agent air-monitoring systems in areas of the plant for worker safety during the closure phase.
Main Plant
- Removing equipment, instruments and piping and decontaminating and assessing Munitions Washout System room and Toxic Area in the Agent Processing Building.
- Removing bio-media and preparing for readiness-for-demolition assessment in the Biotreatment Area.
Static Detonation Chambers (SDC)
- Continuing review of SDC closure plan by state regulators.
Workforce
- 1,199 workers employed on the project; 452 released so far.
- Provided access for interested members of the workforce to July 15-26 Virtual Apprenticeship Fair with employers offered apprenticeship opportunities.
Environmental Permitting
- Received state approval of Permit Modification Request B062 to make changes to the Agent Neutralization System and Spent Decontamination Storage System to continue the treatment of wash water post agent-destruction operations.
Public Outreach
- PCAPP Site Project Manager Walton Levi participated in a July 24 roundtable discussion with PuebloPlex representatives at the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meetings will be online at 3 p.m. MT on Aug. 28.
Individuals interested in joining online can participate using the link and information below.
Computer: Zoom
Phone: 1 (719) 359-4580
Meeting ID: 844 3279 1550#
