Community Center

St. Croix Residents Have Until November 3 to Claim Compensation From Nearly $60 Million in Limetree Bay Refinery Settlements

ST. CROIX — Residents and businesses affected by the series of pollution incidents at the Limetree Bay Refinery in 2021 have until November 3 to file claims for compensation under seven proposed settlements totaling $59.795 million, following preliminary approval by the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands. The agreements, reached with several companies involved in the refinery's ownership, financing and operations, seek to resolve claims arising from incidents that allegedly exposed surrounding communities to hazardous chemicals, oil droplets, gases and other pollutants during the facility's troubled restart five years ago. The settlements cover claims involving property damage, contaminated water cisterns, economic losses, physical and emotional health effects, and other expenses attributed to the incidents. Eligible residents must submit claims to receive compensation, and the amount each claimant may recover will depend on the documented harm and the total number of approved...