U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan recently responded to the permanent closing of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Oʻahu, Hawaii.
According to the press release, Reagan recently visited Oʻahu and the Red Hill facility to witness drinking water response activities, engage with the community and meet with stakeholders. He was accompanied by Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe and Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest Martha Guzman.
“I welcome this announcement from Secretary Austin and thank him for his leadership,” Regan said, according to the press release. “EPA is committed to working collaboratively with our state and federal partners to ensure clean drinking water for the people of Oʻahu.”
Regan said the EPA will continue to provide assistance and oversight.
“We will also work with the Department of Defense to make sure the public understands and has confidence in the process, knowing that EPA will remain involved,” he said.
EPA has placed top priority on the emergency drinking water issue at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) and the adjacent Aliamanu Military Reservation and Red Hill Housing Army Complex since the earliest days of the emergency by putting an emergency response team on the ground, according to a press release.
Throughout all of this, EPA is committed to continuing its partnership with the Navy, Army and the Hawaii Department of Health in the Interagency Drinking Water System Team (IDWST), which is working to restore safe drinking water to the affected residents and workers.
