The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, is in the closure phase, planned to be complete in 2027. The team continues to value safety and make it a priority as closure work progresses. 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
- On Sept. 11, workers processed the last of the 17,739 containerized rocket warheads (CRW) containing residual amounts of VX nerve agent in the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200. The SDC 2000 completed processing the last CRWs containing residual amounts of GB nerve agent Aug. 11.
- Main plant closure activities continue ahead of schedule.
SDC 1200
- Following the destruction of the last of the VX CRWs, workers are decommissioning and decontaminating the unit.
- As part of decommissioning, workers cleaned the two loading chambers and began decontamination and cleaning of the detonation chamber, buffer tank and conveyor areas.
SDC 2000
- Workers continued decommissioning and decontaminating the unit, including cleaning the buffer tank, removal of all bottom and conical heaters and insulation, steam cleaning and peroxide fogging of the loading chambers, cleaning of the earth-covered magazine and preparations for air-emissions carbon filter removal.
Main Plant
- The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection approved termination of air-emissions stack monitoring.
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have been shut down.
- Workers drained the chilled water and cooling water systems.
Workforce
- 844 workers are employed on the project, with approximately 50% hired locally.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board meeting will be held:
- March 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. ET
- This will be an online-only meeting via Microsoft Teams. For information on how to join the meeting, contact the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant outreach staff at (800) 277-6819 or bgoutreach@iem.com.
