Administration and Senate officials expressed concerns Wednesday about reports of an ongoing oil leak at the St. Croix Alumina property on the island’s industrialized South Shore.
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen said she learned of the spill on April 4 and has been in contact with St. Croix Alumina to develop a clean-up plan. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Planning and Natural Resources Department have been contacted, she said, nothing has been done to address the problem.
Planning and Natural Works Commissioner Dean Plaskett confirmed that his department heard from Hansen several weeks ago concerning the leak. He said the EPA was notified and is working with the company on clean-up.
Plaskett said his department didn’t receive documents regarding the spill initially but now is in the loop. He said it appears the spill is originating from a 7-million-gallon storage tank. He also said St. Croix Alumina isn’t the only entity in that area releasing oil products onto the ground.
"This is much bigger than just one tank leaking oil," he said. Even so, he added, "It’s a very large tank, and we don’t know exactly how long it’s been leaking."
Plaskett said PNR is conducting its own investigation into the spill. Neither the EPA nor St. Croix Alumina could be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.
Hansen said Wednesday that if action isn’t taken to clean up the spill in the next 72 hours, "We’re prepared to take St. Croix Alumina to court."
