Dear Source,
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Government of the Virgin Islands has agreed to a proposed administrative order on consent for the management of generated used-oil by citizens and commercial establishments throughout the territory. On June 12 on St. Croix and June 13 on St. Thomas, the EPA will announce to the public the proposed order to protect the sensitive ecosystems of the VI from spills and improper management of used oil.
However, this is not a new issue concerning the disposal of used oil in the territory. With the consent and cooperation of the V.I. Planning and Natural Resources Department (DPNR) and the V.I. Public Works Department ( DPW) the EPA has the authority to issue orders (Section 7003 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) in cases where the management of solid or hazardous waste present an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health or the environment.
The V.I. government is required under this order to perform six tasks: 1) report on funding for used-oil management; 2) provide trained drivers for DPW’s two used oil tanker trucks; 3) reopen used-oil collection centers throughout the territory; 4) inform the public that the collection centers are open; 5) promptly issue any commercial used-oil generator permits required under VI laws or regulations, or suspend or waive the requirement for such permits; and 6) assist commercial used-oil generators in recycling their used oil at the Hovensa facility in St. Croix and WAPA facility on St. Thomas.
Let me first state that this issue is a problem for all of us and that it can be solved by working together. However, these practicable and achievable objectives are only as good as the paper they are written on. We must implement a plan of action now, before August of this year when the order will likely be in effect. Fines will be levied by then if actions are not taken on any of the six points by milestone dates. More importantly and critical, the health of our people and the environment which we so cherish has and continues to be at risk. To me that is the greatest sin before us on this matter.
These tasks are not that hard to do. It only takes leadership and commitment. The Government of the V.I. had the approval seven years ago for up to $120,000 from EPA for seed money to solve these problems. DPW has only applied for $30,000 of this funding to date. DPW must use all the money that is available today. Right now. Every day we wait is a day too late. In fact, the two used-oil tanker trucks mentioned in the order were paid for by the EPA, only to sit in the DPW parking lot waiting for trained drivers.
DPNR must take up its leadership role in this matter. I have faith that it can and will. DPNR must enforce our laws and fine the agencies that are not in compliance. No longer should the EPA have to step in and get all stakeholders of the territory to recognize that we are doing harm to ourselves and our environment.
In closing, I urge all civic groups and stakeholders in the territory to attend these meeting and demand real solutions to our waste-oil problems from the Government of the Virgin Islands. The meetings are 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at the V.I. Education Department's Curriculum Center on St. Croix and, on St. Thomas, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at the St. Thomas Curriculum Center.
Jason Budsan
St. Thomas
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