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 Oct. 9, the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection approved ending perimeter air monitoring at BGCAPP because risk to the community from chemical agent has been eliminated.
- On Oct. 21, inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons signed documents certifying all chemical agent components at BGCAPP have been destroyed, ending the international group’s inspection duties. The final treaty preliminary findings report was signed Oct. 24.
- On Oct. 27, protective mask requirements were eliminated throughout the BGCAPP footprint except for inside the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 and 2000 processing rooms where decontamination work continues.
SDC 1200
- Decommissioning and decontaminating activities continue, including removing debris and pressure washing the buffer tank, steam cleaning equipment, removing off-gas piping and installing buffer tank enclosure wrapping in preparation for unventilated monitoring tests.
SDC 2000
- Workers continued decommissioning and decontaminating the unit, including removing debris and pressure washing the buffer tank, removing non-contaminated carbon filters from the earth-covered magazine, draining and cleaning the quench tank, downsizing the scrap conveyor and preparing to isolate the plant and combustion air systems.
Main Plant
- The main plant control room was shut down and responsibilities transferred to the control room at the SDC 2000.
- The Medical Facility was switched to its own power source.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply batteries were removed and shipped off for recycling.
- Crews continued to shut down the Control and Support Building.
Workforce
- As of Sept. 30, 752 workers are employed on the project, with approximately 50% hired locally.
