Press Releases

PLASKETT RELEASES STATEMENT REGARDING EPA’S ANNOUCEMENT OF NEW CLEAN AIR ACT PERMIT REQUIREMENT FOR OIL REFINERY ON ST. CROIX

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Plaskett, a Member of the House Ways and Means, Budget and Agriculture Committees, released the following statement regarding EPA’s requirement that West Indies Petroleum Limited and Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, LLP acquire a new Clean Air Act Permit before restarting operations at the refinery:

“Yesterday, I met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning their recent announcement on requiring the refinery owners to acquire a new Prevention Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit prior to restarting operations. The EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia has informed me that the EPA’s primary concern is the health of Virgin Islanders. She further stated that the agency is continuing to make good on our promise to deliver environmental justice and ensure that EPA protects the health of every community, regardless of race, zip code or income.” Congresswoman Plaskett further stated that “our office understands that the new permit would require detailed air quality analyses and the use of the best available air pollution control technology.”

“Given the issues raised by EPA on previous occasions, I continue to raise concerns regarding the level of engagement by the present owners of the refinery with federal and local partners.”

“I have spoken at length with EPA’s leadership as well as the White House about the engagement of federal government agencies and what they can do to provide support the Government of the Virgin Islands to reimage the Southshore of St. Croix, the site of the refinery.  Given the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to actively transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, aiding underserved communities, creating good paying jobs – which squarely fits the needs of the St. Croix community – this appears to be an ideal time for local and federal government along with private sector to utilize the enormous grants available in both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to create an entire new economic / industrial system on the islands. Although the initial news of the permit requirement may seem to be negative, this situation presents our territory with a transformational opportunity.”

“We must work collaboratively across all levels of government to ensure we understand our options and are aware of the resources available. Our community cannot and will not be left behind.”

###