The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or PCAPP, is in the closure phase. From 2015 to 2023, the PCAPP team destroyed 780,078 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 Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) complex closure plan was approved by state regulators Nov. 5, allowing workers to begin final decontamination of the destruction chambers and off-gas treatment systems and execution of the plan to transfer the units to other government agencies.
- Closure waste shipments continue to permitted hazardous waste facilities in Colorado and Texas.
- Spare equipment from PCAPP was transferred to the U. S. Army Chemical Materials Activity-West, including four robots, four controllers, two lift-assist assemblies, and two large freight scales.
Safety
- As of Nov. 30, 2024, the Bechtel Pueblo team completed 4,485,929 hours without a lost-time accident.
Main Plant
- Workers continued sampling activities in multiple areas of the plant, listed below, to ensure those areas are clear of any chemical agent residue before demolition work begins:
- Munitions and Energetics Service Magazines
- Munitions Treatment Unit
- Biotreatment Area
- Brine Reduction System
- Workers completed removal of pump bases and airlock sumps in the Agent Neutralization Reactor and continued pipe removal in the Toxic Cubicle.
- Technicians continue to perform daily calibration verifications on five chemical-agent air monitors in the Munitions Washout System. Once the 28-day performance validation is complete, workers will be able to enter the area in lower levels of safety gear.
SDC
- Workers completed steam decontamination in SDC Units 1 and 2 and began sampling activities.
- Workers began removal of the belt conveyor in Unit 1.
Workforce
- 1,048 workers are employed on the project as of Nov. 30; 602 have been released.
- Veterans Day breakfasts were provided at the site to thank the workers who served or continue to serve our country.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting will be held online at 3 p.m. MT Wednesday, Dec. 11. Join online by using the link and information below.
Online platform: Zoom
Phone: 1 (719) 359-4580
Meeting ID: 84351934182#
