The public is invited to comment on a permit modification request that, if approved, would add another option to safely destroy drained, containerized rocket warheads at the Blue Grass plant.

A public meeting for this request is scheduled at 5 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Madison County Public Library, Conference Room 138, 507 W. Main St., in Richmond, Kentucky.

According to the application plant environmental personnel provided the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, the request would allow processing of agent-contaminated secondary waste, specifically, drained GB warheads in canisters, at the Static Detonation Chamber, or SDC, 1200 facility. If granted, the change would make the SDC 1200 available once processing of VX containerized rocket warheads, or CRWs, is complete. CRWs containing GB nerve agent are being destroyed in a second SDC, the SDC 2000.

“We want to make sure we have every tool available to complete the secondary waste destruction as quickly, but as safely as possible,” said Bill Buchanan, environmental permitting manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “The SDC 1200 is destroying containerized warheads with residual VX nerve agent, and we want to have it available for GB residual secondary waste as well just in case we need it down the road.”

Those who might need assistance during the meeting should submit requests for alternate formats, sign-language interpreters and other reasonable accommodations as soon as possible but no later than Nov. 12 via email to Mark York at mhyork@bechtel.us.

Information about this permit modification request can be found on the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives website. The 60-day public comment period closes Dec. 22.