The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, is in the closure phase, planned to be complete in 2027. From 2019 to 2023, the BGCAPP team destroyed 101,764 projectiles and rockets containing 523.4 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.
Highlights
- Representatives from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency completed inspections and a familiarization tour of the main plant and Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) units March 5 and 6.
- Workers completed 75% destruction of drained, containerized rocket warheads (CRWs) containing residual amounts of GB nerve agent in the SDC 2000 March 11.
- Main plant closure activities continue ahead of schedule.
- Cleaning activities continue in the Blue Grass Chemical Activity storage igloos.
- BGCAPP continues to remove waste from closure activities, which is shipped to scrap metal facilities and permitted hazardous waste facilities.
Safety
- As of March 31, workers completed 16,503,895 hours and 2,026 days without a lost-time accident.
SDC 1200
- As of March 30, 60% of more than 17,000 drained, containerized rocket warheads (CRW) containing residual amounts of VX nerve agent has been destroyed.
- Workers are completing the installation of the new detonation chamber fragmentation shield and preparing for startup operations.
- SDC 1200 workers continue conducting numerous maintenance projects and training updates.
SDC 2000
- As of March 30, workers destroyed almost 78% of more than 51,000 drained CRWs containing residual amounts of GB nerve agent.
- During a planned outage, workers completed detonation chamber imaging and inspections, replaced conical heaters, cleaned and replaced process ventilation filters and conducted other maintenance activities.
Main Plant
- Unventilated monitoring tests (UMTs) are nearing completion in the Munitions Demilitarization Building (MDB).
- Workers removed additional piping, instrumentation and guide rails from the Agent Neutralization Room.
- Workers facilitated a pre-closure walkdown by inspectors from the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.
- Cleaning of the MDB heating, ventilation and air conditioning filter bank units continues as part of the next phase of UMTs.
Workforce
- 1,168 workers are employed on the project, with 50% hired locally. A planned 170-person drawdown began March 26 as part of closure activities.
Public Outreach
- Outreach staff facilitated and livestreamed the March 5 semiannual Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens Advisory Commission (CAC) and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board (CDCAB) meeting and posted the meeting video to the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives YouTube page.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next semiannual Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3, 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. For information, contact the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant outreach staff at (800) 277-6819 or bgoutreach@iem.com.
