The Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation, and Ocean Point Terminals facility on St. Croix. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
The Environmental Protection Agency hosted an online community update meeting for St. Croix on Tuesday, and disclosed preliminary findings of a recent asbestos inspection conducted at the refinery and terminal on the Big Island’s south shore.
Outgoing EPA Administrator for Region 2 Lisa Garcia said that the inspection was conducted last week at both parts of the facility – the Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation refinery, and the Ocean Point terminal. “This inspection evaluated compliance with asbestos provisions under the Clean Air Act,” Ms. Garcia noted. “While it was just last week, we did find asbestos,” she advised.
The EPA now must finalize their inspection report and “determine the appropriate next steps,” Ms. Garcia said.
Meanwhile, work continues to mitigate the risks from liquified petroleum gas units that were discovered during a September 2023 inspection. Pat Evangelista, Director of EPA's Superfund and Emergency Management Division for Region 2, noted the order that was issued last August and said that, “We've been working closely with Port Hamilton…to develop a work plan and to hopefully finalize that work plan shortly, so that the removal work can begin as soon as possible.”
Responding to raised concerns about potentially having to deal with some of the removed materials by burning them on island, Mr. Evangelista acknowledged that “a portion of the containerized waste that's at issue would be treated by the thermal oxidizer at the site.” However, he reassured that it was a process the EPA “would be monitoring closely.” The balance of the material would then be “taken off island for disposal,” Mr. Evanglista said. Via the work plan and monitoring, the EPA anticipates that any issues relating to potential emissions during the thermal decomposition process – particularly mercury – would be preemptively addressed.
The material has to be dealt with in this way, said Mr. Evangelista, because there is “no off site facility that's prepared to accept the waste material as it currently is configured.” Port Hamilton officials have already filed an application for a permit with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to operate the oxidizer, attendees were told.
Meanwhile, EPA's Region 2 Air Compliance Branch Manager Robert Buettner sought to allay concerns. “We use thermal oxidizers and injunctive relief to control pollutants a lot,” he noted. “It's a commonly used device; it can control up to 99% of the pollutants.” The impact on the community will be minimal, he assured. While the oxidizer is removing volatile organic compounds from the material being processed, “you shouldn't be experiencing any effects from the operation of it if it's operated properly,” Mr. Buettner advised.
The timeline for this aspect of the task at hand will become clearer once the work plan is established, EPA officials indicated. The EPA also noted during the meeting that they have not yet received any notification of Port Hamilton's intention to restart the refinery. “We do not have any incoming dates or emails or letters saying that they will restart operations,” said Ms. Garcia.
