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
- The main plant control room was emptied of all property and is now undergoing final utility isolation in preparation for demolition to begin in 2026.
Static Detonation Chambers (SDC)
- Crews are decontaminating and decommissioning the SDC 1200 and 2000 facilities.
- As part of decontamination, workers cleaned the two loading chambers, detonation chambers, buffer tanks and conveyor areas and verified cleanliness with monitoring and sampling in preparation for unventilated monitoring tests.
- As part of decommissioning, crews removed piping, equipment and instrumentation for areas such as the shaker conveyors, hydraulic systems, thermal oxidizer, buffer tanks and loading chambers.
Main Plant
- Crews have relocated all personnel and removed property from the Control and Support, Utility, Kelly 2 and Personnel Maintenance Buildings and the Treaty Office Facility.
- The Control and Support and Utility Buildings are being prepared for demolition by excavating and capping off water and sewer lines.
Workforce
- As of Nov. 30, 582 workers are employed on the project, with approximately 50% hired locally.
