The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, is now in the closure phase. From 2019 to 2023, the BGCAPP team destroyed more than 101,000 projectiles and rockets containing 523 tons of GB and VX nerve agent and blister agent mustard, using neutralization and Explosive Destruction Technology. The last chemical weapon in the U.S. stockpile was destroyed July 7, 2023, in Kentucky. The Blue Grass plant will be in the closure phase for approximately three years.
Highlights
- Tamika (“Tami”) D. Atkins, acting program executive officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA), was selected to lead the ACWA organization as program director, effective Oct. 6.
Safety
- As of July 31, 2024, completed 14,896,486 hours and 1,783 days without a lost-time accident.
Static Detonation Chambers (SDC) 1200
- As of Sept. 2, 47.4% of more than 17,000 containerized rocket warheads (CRWs) containing residual amounts of VX nerve agent has been destroyed in the SDC 1200.
- Completed planned and unplanned outages for maintenance, including replacing locking ring seals.
SDC 2000
- As of Sept. 2, 53.4% of more than 51,000 CRWs containing residual amounts of GB nerve agent has been destroyed in the SDC 2000.
- Enhanced protocol for cleaning screw jacks that raise and lower the detonation chamber to reduce maintenance.
- Continuing planned maintenance to maximize processing efficiency.
- Completed planned and unplanned outages for maintenance, including repairs to conical heaters and hydraulic locking clamps.
Main Plant
- As of Aug. 4, 49.98% of more than 51,000 CRWs containing residual amounts of GB nerve agent has been destroyed in the SDC 2000.
- Repaired detonation chamber clamp pins.
- Continuing planned maintenance to maximize processing efficiency.
Main Plant
- Continued removing piping and instrumentation from the Agent Neutralization System (ANS) room.
- Continued tank and reactor decommissioning activities in the ANS room.
- Conducting unventilated monitoring tests in rooms in the Munitions Demilitarization Building.
- Continued cleaning of Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks.
- Continued cleaning and monitoring activities in the Blue Grass Chemical Activity storage igloos.
- Completed cleaning and sampling of the six Non-Contaminated Rocket Motor igloos at the Blue Grass Army Depot and awaiting sampling results from the off-site laboratory.
- Preparing to ship carbon filter trays off-site for disposal.
Workforce
- 1,189 workers are employed on the project, with 50% being local hires.
Environmental Permitting
- Nothing to report.
Public Outreach
- Provided BGCAPP closure and schedule update to the Kentucky Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Integrated Process Team meeting Aug. 14.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board meeting will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. ET at the following location:
Carl D. Perkins Building, Rooms A and B
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
A live video stream of the meeting will be available on the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA) YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/usaeacwa and the PEO ACWA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/peoacwa. For information, contact the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant outreach staff at (800) 277-6819 or bgoutreach@iem.com.
