The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant team was committed to protecting the workforce, public and environment during their safe destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile at the Blue Grass Army Depot, and continues that commitment into the plant’s closure stage.
The BGCAPP team fulfills this commitment by adhering to numerous local, state and federal laws and regulations. This includes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authority to control hazardous waste, including generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal, to protect human health and the environment.
In addition, BGCAPP operates under a hazardous waste permit from the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. This permit was granted after numerous Army studies determined the destruction of the stockpile would have no significant impacts to human health or the environment. Throughout the lifecycle of the plant, any major permit modifications require a public comment period and approval by the state. We welcome your feedback and encourage your participation in this process.
- On July 14, 2023, the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection granted BGCAPP a Temporary Authorization Request to begin closure activities in the main plant.
- On. Sept. 27, 2023, the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection approved a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permit modification to conduct the closure phase at BGCAPP.
Learn more about our permits and environmental activities by accessing the links and information on this page, or by contacting the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant outreach staff at bgoutreach@iem.com or (800) 277-6819.
Recent Permitting Activity:
Oct. 23, 2024, the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) submitted a request to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection for a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Class 2 permit modification. The permit modification request is to allow processing of agent-contaminated secondary waste, specifically, drained GB warheads in canisters, at the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 facility. The request is being made to provide contingent operational availability of the SDC 1200 unit once VX containerized rocket warhead processing is complete.
The 60-day comment period runs Oct. 23, 2024, through Dec. 22, 2024. All comments must be submitted by the close of business on Dec. 22, 2024, to:
Commonwealth of Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection Division of Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Branch
ATTN: Brandon May
300 Sower Blvd., 2nd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Email: brandon.may@ky.gov
The submitted modification requests can be downloaded at the links below. They also may be found at the information repositories, below, at right.
Key Permit Documents
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit
Environmental Impact Statement
Explore BGCAPP Permitting History:
Kentucky Environmental Oversight Links:
Get involved.
Public Meetings:
Plant and permitting updates are provided during quarterly public meetings known as the Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission (CAC) and the Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board (CDCAB). Please see below for future meeting dates and forums.
View meeting summaries from previous CAC/CDCAB meetings.
Information Repositories:
Information regarding the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant project is available at various community locations. Inquiries should be directed to Siobhan Adkins, Outreach Communications Lead, siobhan.adkins@iem.com.
- Berea Branch, Madison County Public Library
319 Chestnut Street, Berea, KY 40403 - Berea College, Hutchins Library, Special collections section
Berea, KY 40404 - Eastern Kentucky University, Crabbe Library, Government documents section
521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475 - Estill County Public Library
184 Broadway Street, Irvine, Kentucky 40336 - Richmond Branch, Madison County Public Library
507 West Main Street, Richmond, KY 40475
For a complete list of documents available at the Information Repositories, please see the Index.