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HomeCommentaryLegislature CornerLegislature Corner: EPA Report on Its Inspection of Port Hamilton Refinery on...

Legislature Corner: EPA Report on Its Inspection of Port Hamilton Refinery on St. Croix

Senator-at-Large Angel Bolques Jr. (Source file photo)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Federal Government just issued an inspection report of the Port Hamilton refinery on St. Croix, and its findings give cause for great concern for both the Government of the Virgin Islands and the people of the Virgin Islands in general.

On Aug. 8, 2022, employees at the refinery discovered what is classified as a pile of petroleum coke smoldering, which triggered a series of automatic alarms; experts then flew in to assist with suppressing the burning pile of petroleum fuel and then scheduled a comprehensive tour of the entire facility by EPA. Data collected from last month’s tour chronicled in the recently released inspection report significant environmental hazards currently present at the refinery.

Senator Angel Bolques said, “I was distressed to read the findings of EPA’s Inspection Report and to learn of the potential dangers posed by these existing conditions. As the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety, I am sensitive to the need for unprecedented communication and collaboration between federal and local government agencies to marshal the resources necessary to instill systemic change and safety at the facility, to hold the owners of the refinery responsible and to safeguard Virgin Islanders from environmental disasters.

“The Legislature held hearings over the summer with representatives from Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, and now given this newly published report, I look forward to working with all the relevant stakeholders to get to the bottom of the issues and hope for a withstanding resolution moving forward. These concerns can impact our people’s health, including air pollution, even contamination of waterways and soil, and psychosocial stress from living near such a potentially hazardous environment.

“I want the people of St. Croix to know that I understand the issues intimately as I grew up in Peter’s Rest and remember the scents and columns of smoke as a child.”

Senator Angel Bolques

Editor’s note: Senator-at-large Angel Bolques Jr. represents St. Croix District in the Virgin Islands Legislature.

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