Environment - Program Executive Office Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives

A technician helps an entrant with his protective suit as he gears up to perform a filter changeout activity at the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology facility Dec. 9. A standard and planned-for operation, the filters were changed out after monitoring showed low-level mustard-agent breakthrough between the first and second filter banks in the main air filtration system.

First-Time Filter Change Activity

Technicians changed the filters in the IONEX 16K charcoal filter unit for the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology facility for the first time mid-December.

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Dummy motors separated from dummy rocket warheads sit in a test box in the Munitions Demilitarization Building at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant during systemization. Environmental staff have submitted a permit modification request for additional storage for uncontaminated rocket motors to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection so the motors can be safely stored prior to their eventual disposal.

Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modification

The public comment period for a Blue Grass permit modification ends Nov. 10.

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Blue Grass plant munitions handlers unpack filters in anticipation of the Explosive Destruction Technology Service Magazine filter changeout at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Workers Complete Filter Change

Munitions handlers and a mechanic exchanged air filters for the building that temporarily stores the mustard munitions awaiting destruction in the Static Detonation Chamber Aug. 3.

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Site preparation continues at the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Environmental staff submitted a permit modification request for the SDC unit to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, but the site preparation was previously permitted to proceed.

Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modifications

Public comments on two Blue Grass permit modifications are due by Aug. 24.

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A waste operator practices moving waste drums on pallets at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Container Storage Facility. The plant’s hazardous waste is regulated by a standard hazardous waste permit through the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.

Permit Conversion Public Comment Period Open Through Dec. 11

Public comments on the conversion of the hazardous waste permit for the Blue Grass main plant are due by Dec. 11, 2019.

Permit Conversion Public Comment Period Open Through Dec. 11 Read More »

A technician watches as a tray of test projectile bodies moves through the Metal Parts Treater (MPT) for a conveyor alignment check at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The MPT Surrogate Test Plan was the subject of a recent Class 1 modification to the plant’s hazardous waste permit.

Minor Permit Modifications Routine Business for Plant

Blue Grass plant staff distributed a list of minor permit modifications to project stakeholders July 31. The notices are distributed on a quarterly basis.

Minor Permit Modifications Routine Business for Plant Read More »

Col. Joseph Kurz, commander, Blue Grass Army Depot, discusses Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant processes with Ron Hink, project manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. The commander signed his acceptance of a Finding of No Significant Impact generated from a May 2019 environmental assessment for augmentation of plant processing capability July 1.

Signature Signals Path Forward for Additional Equipment

The Blue Grass Army Depot commander signed an official document July 1 verifying no significant impact to the environment is anticipated from an action proposed to augment the Blue Grass plant’s processing capability.

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Madison County, Kentucky, residents listen to a presentation about the environmental assessment for the proposed action for processing nerve agent-filled munitions at the Blue Grass Army Depot at a May 21 public meeting. The public comment period for this action ends June 17.

Environmental Assessment Public Comment Period Open Through June 17

Public comments on the environmental assessment for a proposed action to augment the Blue Grass plant’s processing of nerve agent munitions are due by June 17, 2019.

Environmental Assessment Public Comment Period Open Through June 17 Read More »

A Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant team member slides a carbon filter into place in one of the Munitions Demilitarization Building filter banks. This filter is designed to trap substances that could otherwise volatilize or evaporate into the air.

Organic Air Emissions Topic of Kentucky Public Meeting

The Blue Grass plant submitted a permit modification request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeking a storage and treatment permit regarding organic air emissions for the facility.

Organic Air Emissions Topic of Kentucky Public Meeting Read More »

A Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant startup team member and a contractor test a robot as it moves a hopper in the Explosive Containment Room. The plant has 59 independent systems that must be integrated and tested during the systemization phase.

Plant Enhancements Prompt Permitting Updates

Testing of equipment and procedures at the Blue Grass plant has led to an array of enhancements and permitting updates discussed during a public meeting Sept. 13 in Richmond, Kentucky.

Plant Enhancements Prompt Permitting Updates Read More »

PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE
ASSEMBLED CHEMICAL WEAPONS ALTERNATIVES