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 the 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
- The U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot was deactivated during a Sept. 12 ceremony. The installation is now known as the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity-West and is providing support to PCAPP during closure.
- Representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an oversight visit at the plant to assess closure progress.
- Closure waste shipments continue to permitted hazardous waste facilities in Colorado and Texas.
Safety
- As of Sept. 30, 2024, completed 4,183,251 hours without a lost-time accident.
Main Plant
- Equipment removal was completed in the Agent Wash Water Separators and Wash Water Collection Tanks.
- Media removal was completed and sampling began in Modules 1, 2 and 3 in the Immobilized Cell Bioreactors.
- Installation of two temporary boilers was completed to replace the large industrial boilers used during destruction operations.
Static Detonation Chambers (SDC)
- The SDC closure plan continues to be reviewed by state regulators.
- Corps of Engineers and Redstone Arsenal employees visited to continue planning for disassembly, packaging and reassembly of the units in 2025 for reuse.
Workforce
- 1,060 workers are employed on the project as of Sept. 30; nearly 590 have been released.
Environmental Permitting
- Permit Modification Request (PMR) C002 was approved: “Initiate Closure of Ten Hazardous Waste Management Units in the Biotreatment Area”
- Two additional requests were submitted, which will be the topics of discussion at an Oct. 30 public meeting:
- PMR B065: Revisions to Laboratory Documents (60-day public comment period Sept. 17 – Nov. 16)
- PMR B074: Main Plant Demolition Plan (60-day public comment period Sept. 23 – Nov. 22)
Upcoming Meetings
- A public meeting will be held online via the Zoom platform at 2 p.m. MT Wednesday, Oct. 30 to discuss Permit Modification Request (PMR) B065, Revisions to Laboratory Documents 24852-GPP-GGL-00003, -00104, -00205, -00207, -00303 and PMR B074, Main Plant Demolition Plan.
The public comment period for B065 runs from Sept. 17 through Nov. 16, 2024. The public comment period for B074 runs from Sept. 23 through Nov. 22, 2024.
Contact Venissa Ledesma at (303) 692-3432 if you have special accessibility needs.
- The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting will be held online at 3 p.m. MT Wednesday, Oct. 30. Join online by using the link and information below.
Computer: Zoom
Phone: 1 (719) 359-4580
Meeting ID: 84351934182#
