Navy given 6 months to submit plan for closing Red Hill

TL:DR - The Navy has waived its right to contest a new emergency order issued by the state Department of Health that paves the way for permanently closing its Red Hill fuel storage facility. The order requires the Navy to come up with a plan and implementation schedule to drain the massive, underground tanks by June 30 and a plan to shutter the facility by Nov. 1.

While there has been pressure to drain the tanks as quickly as possible after fuel leaked from the facility in 2021 and contaminated the Navy’s drinking water system, which serves about 93,000 people, DOH has stressed that it must be done safely to avoid more damage to the environment.

May 11, 2022: Navy given 6 months to submit plan for closing Red Hill, Honolulu Star-Advertiser