EPA Completes Hazardous LPG Removal at Port Hamilton Refinery

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has completed oversight of hazardous material removal operations at the Port Hamilton refinery on St. Croix, marking what officials describe as the final phase of required remediation under a 2024 legal agreement.

According to the EPA’s latest community update, Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation LLLP completed the removal of all remaining hazardous materials — primarily liquified petroleum gas (LPG) — from two LPG units at the refinery on January 21. The following day, January 22, residual vapors remaining in those units were destroyed using a thermal oxidizer.

In total, 16,493 gallons of hazardous material were transferred into three ISO containers and transported to the Container Port to await shipment off island. The three containers, along with any hazardous waste generated during the process, are scheduled to be shipped off island by the end of February 2026.

The removal actions were mandated under a 2024 Administrative Order on Consent between the EPA and Port Hamilton to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act. Following the completion of field operations and air monitoring activities, EPA personnel demobilized from the facility by the end of January 2026, removing equipment, materials, temporary facilities, and staff from the work location.