Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

December 5, 2022                                                    340-201-6453

Press Release

PLASKETT RELEASES STATEMENT ON EPA'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONSENT ORDER FOR 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 the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent administrative consent order created for Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, LLLP (PHRT):

“Today, I met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning their recent consent decree which requires Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, LLLP to hire experts to safely remove chemicals at the St. Croix refinery in equipment previously identified by EPA during an inspection conducted in September of this year, 2022. As in previous meetings, EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia informed me that the EPA’s primary concern is the health of Virgin Islanders and ensuring that our communities are protected. She further stated that PHRT is being held to the same safety standards as other refineries and industrial facilities throughout the country.

“Under the consent order, PHRT will remove all ammonia, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), amines and hydrogen sulfide from the equipment at the facility. It is my understanding that PHRT has agreed and signed a consent agreement to the terms of the order. 

“I reiterated my position that EPA’s leadership as well as the White House and other federal government agencies should actively work to determine what can be done to provide resources to the Virgin Islands in repurposing the south shore 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.”

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EPA also set up a toll-free community hotline (866) 462-4789, developed a dedicated website, and is engaging regularly with the community.