The Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) is located near Richmond, Ky. On that site is the Blue Grass Army Chemical Activity (BGCA), which is one of only two remaining storage sites for the nation's chemical weapons stockpile, comprised of nerve agents GB and VX, as well as mustard agent. Some of these weapons have been stored at BGAD since the 1940s. Under an international treaty, the Army is committed to safely destroy these weapons by the end of 2023.
The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) will destroy nerve agent using neutralization and supercritical water oxidation, and the Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) will use a detonation chamber to destroy the mustard munitions. The Kentucky Division of Waste Management (DWM) has been entrusted to ensure compliance with all hazardous waste regulations; review, amend and approve permit applications; help keep stakeholders and the community informed of activities; and ensure compliance during construction, systemization, and operation of the BGCAPP and EDT facilities.
BGAD also operates an open burning and open detonation facility to destroy excess non-chemical munitions. This operation must follow standards in BGAD’s hazardous waste permit.
For more information please read the Demil Dispatch newsletters below. If you have any questions regarding the operations and projects at the destruction plant, or other hazardous waste operations at BGAD, contact Olivia Beasley, section supervisor, at (502) 782-2796 or olivia.beasley@ky.gov.