Holding the Navy accountable on Red Hill defueling
Posted on Nov 8, 2022 in Capitol Connection, Featured, Main
DOH continues to push for the safe defueling of the Red Hill facility.
The Hawai‘i Department of Health continues to oversee the safe defueling and decommissioning of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. On Oct. 7, the Department conditionally approved the first phase of the Navy’s plan to defuel Red Hill. The work to remove approximately one million gallons of fuel currently in the facility’s three pipelines commenced in October. Removing existing fuel from the Red Hill pipelines will allow the Navy to begin critical repairs to facilitate safe defueling. The Navy must seek DOH approval on a repair plan and defueling plan before those phases can move forward.
As the one-year anniversary of the contamination of the Navy’s drinking water system approaches, the Ige administration continues to work diligently to protect public health and the environment. The community came together to stand up for Hawai‘i residents and our precious natural resources. But there is more work to be done as DOH continues to push for the defueling and closure of the Red Hill facility to happen as quickly as possible with safety as the first priority.
Read more in the November/December Capitol Connection newsletter.