Environment

Court Holds Limetree Bay Accountable for Providing Clean Water to Residents Affected by Water Contamination Incidents

St. Croix District Court Judge Wilma Lewis has issued a preliminary injunction against Limetree Bay Terminals, now known as Ocean Point Terminals, according to the law office of Attorney Lee J. Rohn & Associates. The decision came after the refinery experienced a series of incidents in which a smokestack released heavy oil and hydrogen sulfide into the atmosphere, causing potential health risks for residents. The court determined that Limetree Bay Terminals/Ocean Point had a legal obligation to comply with the Clean Air Act, having acquired the Title V permit when it purchased the refinery in January 2016, according to court documents. Despite the company's attempt to shift responsibility onto the refinery, the court found both entities responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The judge also rejected Limetree Bay's argument that only 14 named plaintiffs were affected by the discharge, and that the oil contamination was minimal and had since dissipated. Expe...