Department of Defense Submits Additional Supplement to the Red Hill Defueling Plan
28 September 2022
From Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The Department of Defense (DoD) today submitted the Red Hill Defueling Supplement 1.B to the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), signifying the Department’s continued commitment to safely and expeditiously defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility while working closely with the State of Hawaii and other stakeholders.
The new defuel supplement builds upon the initial June 30, 2022, defuel plan submission and the Sept. 7, 2022, supplement. Supplement 1.B provides analysis from recent studies that were not incorporated into the Sept. 7 submission, detailed descriptions of work items that DoD has completed or will complete to Make Facility Safe to Defuel, and an update on DoD’s Joint Task Force – Red Hill (JTF-RH). Supplement 1.B reflects DoD’s effort to share with DOH and the public new details and developments in the defueling planning process as soon as those details emerge. On Sept. 19, DoD announced the commander of JTF-RH, Rear Adm. John F. G. Wade. JTF-RH’s sole mission will be to safely and expeditiously defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and rebuild trust with the State of Hawaii.
“Our DoD team is working hand-in-hand with the State of Hawaii for the defueling effort, never sacrificing safety,” said Rear Adm. Steve Barnett, commander, Navy Region Hawaii. “Even as we prepare to turn the defueling over to the Joint Task Force, we will not let up our firm focus on safety, ensuring that every aspect and phase of this work must protect the environment and the community.”
As work continues, DoD will provide regular updates of the schedule at least monthly or when significant changes are necessary.
Throughout execution of this plan, DoD will coordinate with DOH and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to meet the requirements and timelines established in the State’s Emergency Order, ensure compliance with environmental safeguards, and defuel Red Hill in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
More information on the defueling work can be found at: https://cnrh.cnic.navy.mil/Operations-and-Management/Red-Hill/DoD-RHBFSF-Defuel-Plan/.