New Red Hill Defueling Deal With EPA Provides Little Accountability

TL;DR - As the Department of Defense works to remove fuel from the Red Hill storage facility, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has secured a commitment from the military to meet regularly with community members, but the regulator is resisting calls from residents to take stronger enforcement action.

The EPA, Navy and Defense Logistics Agency signed a new administrative consent order on Friday. The voluntary regulatory agreement outlines the EPA’s oversight of Red Hill’s defueling and closure, implements deadlines and requires public disclosures of leaks. 

It also requires the formation of a Community Representation Initiative, a 10-person panel that will meet with military leaders eight times a year.

June 6, 2023: New Red Hill Defueling Deal With EPA Provides Little Accountability, Honolulu Civil Beat