EPA Returns to St. Croix Refinery for Second Cleanup
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a second round of chemical cleanup at the former Limetree Bay or Hess refinery on St. Croix. This phase focuses on removing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) left inside two process units and an ISO container, which were overlooked due to a clerical error in earlier reporting. The oversight was discovered during a site inspection in September 2023, and the removal is now governed by a new EPA consent order issued in August 2022.
The cleanup is expected to begin later this summer and will take approximately three months once mobilized. This follows a major 2023 operation that removed over 360,000 gallons of chemicals, including LPG, amines, and anhydrous ammonia. That initial cleanup was conducted without litigation, despite Port Hamilton disputing the EPA’s initial risk assessment.
While Port Hamilton is leading the current cleanup efforts, much of the hazardous material was inherited from previous operators, including Limetree Bay and Hess Oil. The refinery’s long industrial history has left behind significant chemical waste in rusting tanks and pipelines. Port Hamilton may be the first owner actively addressing these issues, but public concerns remain high.
One pressing question for the community is whether this cleanup signals a potential reopening of the refinery. According to the EPA and Port Hamilton, no official “notice of intent to restart” has been filed. Federal law requires such notice to be submitted at least 90 days before operations resume, along with new permits, environmental reviews, and formal community notification.
However, the chemicals being removed—particularly LPG—are essential to the refining process. If Port Hamilton does restart operations, they would need to repurchase and reintroduce these feedstocks. The company has previously stated that their long-term goal is a safe restart that provides stable, well-paying jobs to St. Croix while avoiding past mistakes.
This situation presents a complex dynamic: a cleanup that suggests progress but no clear timeline for a restart; a company attempting to address inherited issues while adhering to regulations; and a community eager for economic opportunities but wary of potential health risks.
What do you think? Should the refinery remain closed, be repurposed entirely, or should Port Hamilton be given a chance to restart operations responsibly? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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