2022

2022

January 2022

Mass Media

Simon, Janeka. “West Indies Petroleum, the New Owner of Limetree, under Scrutiny in Home Country.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, January 6, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-west-indies-petroleum-the-new-owners-of-limetree-under-scrutiny-in-home-country.

• West Indies Petroleum, having recently purchased the Limetree Bay Refinery, is now having its problematic history exposed. Prior to the sale, the company’s ability to live up the agreement was questioned due to issues relating to the company’s finances. West Indies Petroleum claimed to have thirty million in cash when it did not and a year prior to the sale, December 2020, the company was worth only eight million. This is amplified by thin profits and many loans in default. In the company’s home country of Jamaica, concerns are being raised about the company’s ethicacy and performance. Believed to be also known as Banker Fuel Operator 1, the company has violated the Customs Act and regulations related to Jamaica’s special economic zone.

Source Staff. “West Indies Petroleum Says It Will Be Good Steward, Double Refinery’s Production.” St. Croix Source, January 10, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/01/08/west-indies-petroleum-says-it-will-be-good-steward-double-refinerys-production/.

• West Indies Petroleum releases its first statement since acquiring the Lime Tree Bay Refinery, the statement briefly outlines their plans and focuses for the refinery. Chief among the new owners’ goal for the refinery is to center “environmental responsibility,” and eventually produce up to 450,000 barrels of oil per day. West Indies Petroleum was not alone in attempting to buy the failed refinery, other companies, including St. Croix Energy had fought to obtain the property. Hoping to modernize the refinery, West Indies Petroleum believes it can reduce electricity costs.

Source Staff. “Limetree Bay Terminals Closes $105 Million Financing Arrangement.” St. Croix Source, January 12, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/01/11/limetree-bay-terminals-closes-105-million-financing-arrangement/.

• Limetree Bay Terminal has completed a 105 Million dollar financing arrangement, a strong showing of investor support since the closing of the Limetree Refinery. The goal of the company is to invest in and develop its facilities in St. Croix with the larger aim of bringing in new customers and contracts. Since the closure of the Limetree Bay Refinery, Limetree Bay Terminal has been working to present itself as a business separate from the failed refinery.

Source Staff. “St. Croix Energy Seeks to Delay Limetree Sale and V.I. Government Seeks to Recoup $7.5m.” St. Croix Source, January 13, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/01/12/st-croix-energy-seeks-to-delay-limetree-sale-and-v-i-government-seeks-to-recoup-7-5m/.

• Croix Energy filed an emergency motion to delay the sale of the Limetree Bay Refinery to West Indies Petroleum. In the initial bid for the failed refinery, St. Croix Energy had won, however that bid was appealed by West Indies Petroleum on the basis that their chief executive was not able to participate due to a medical issue. When West Indies Petroleum did win the bid, St. Croix further argued that West Indies Petroleum is not one company but a combination of two, West Indies St. Lucia and Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, both companies ineligible for the bid. Further complicating the situation, the V.I Government filed a limited objection until it is assured that it will be paid $7.5 million owed to it from a previous operating agreement with the Limetree Bay Refinery.

Probasco, Mat. “Judge Denies Delay, Limetree Sale Set for Friday.” St. Croix Source, January 18, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/01/17/judge-denies-delay-limetree-sale-set-for-friday/.

• S bankruptcy judge David R. Jones denied the emergency motion filed by St. Croix Energy to delay the sale of the Limetree Bay Refinery to West Indies Petroleum. Judge Jones stated that the objection made by St. Croix Energy did not meet the necessary criteria to halt the sale of the refinery. No comment was made concerning the V.I Government and its objection to the sale over $7.5 million it is owed from a previous agreement.

Source Staff. “National Park Service Seeks Public Comment on Concepts for Caneel Bay.” St. Croix Source, January 19, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/01/18/national-park-service-seeks-public-comment-on-concepts-for-caneel-bay/.

• Caneel Bay is both a lucrative economic opportunity and a historical cultural site. Initially the site of a popular resort, the facilities were closed after damage sustained from hurricanes in 2017. Currently Caneel Bay operates under an RUE or Retained Use Estate, which allowed the site and resort to be operated independent of the National Park Service. Currently CBI Acquisitions LLC has control of the site’s lease until September 2023, with some residents critical of their use of the site. The National Park Service is seeking public comment to gauge support for four possible development concepts, the first concept seeking to rebuild the resort with the last concept to restore the site for hiking and beach access.

Kirkpatrick, Sara. “With St. Croix Refinery Auction Sale Closed, EPA Looks to Regulate Operations.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, January 26, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/with-st-croix-refinery-auction-sale-closed-epa-looks-to-regulate-operations/article_a7fb1e20-8f0b-5e99-96ce-1ecec1f22c2b.html.

• The Limetree Bay refinery sale was finalized after West Indies Petroleum and its partner Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation purchased the refinery for $62 million. West Indies Petroleum hopes to restart the refinery with the EPA’s approval. The EPA has been critical of the refinery, the previous owners had frequently violated the Clean AIr Act and failed to successfully shut down the refinery, citing a lack of financial resources. The EPA also wants the new owners to understand that they are still liable for any release or explosion that may occur from its poor condition upon purchase.

February 2022

Academic Publications

Mass Media

Probasco, Mat Probasco. “Maritime Pact Could Bring $2.3 Billion to the USVI.” St. Croix Source, February 2, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/02/01/maritime-pact-could-bring-2-3-billion-to-v-i/.

• A memorandum of agreement was reached with the North East Maritime Institute, based in Massachusett, with the goal of making the V.I the center of an international shipping fleet. The resolution is called a revitalization plan for U.S maritime trade, commerce, and strategic-competition. The plan is sixfold but would begin with the creation of a new “flag” that would allow for foriegn vessels to register in the territory.Currently the market relies on “flag of convenience” states which are prone to labor abuses and environmental issues. The plan hopes to bring good jobs and investment to the V.I.

Probasco, Mat. “Maritime Expert Says Tear down the Refinery.” St. Croix Source, February 3, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/02/02/maritime-expert-says-tear-down-the-refinery/.

• Eric Dawicki, president and Ceo of the NorthEast Maritime Institute calls for the failed Limetree Bay refinery to be replaced with a container port. The North East Maritime Institute is involved in the revitalization plan for U.S maritime trade, commerce, and strategic-competition and believes the V.I can be a new center for global shipping. Dawicki believes the seaport currently occupied by the refinery can be better used by a container port and in doing so bring “steady employment” and “environmentally friendly” jobs to the area.

Milam, Andrea. “NPS Officials Share Caneel Redevelopment Options with Community Group Leaders; Public Meeting Set for Tuesday.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, February 7, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/nps-officials-share-caneel-redevelopment-options-with-community-group-leaders-public-meeting-set-for-tuesday/article_d68aa981-22b7-5981-8731-7883ac3dd37d.html.

• The Caneel Bay Resort was a longstanding luxury fixture in USVI however since the 2017 hurricanes, the resort and land in which it sits is in severe disrepair. The land, originally belonging to the National Park Service, was operated by CBI Acquisitions under a Retained Use Agreement, which is due to expire in September 2023.Four proposals have been presented to the community for public comment, these proposals range from doing nothing and letting the land return to the NPS to completely revitalizing the resort.

Source Staff, Source. “Raphune Hill Renamed for Dorothy Elskoe.” St. Croix Source, February 16, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/02/16/raphune-hill-renamed-for-dorothy-elskoe/.

• Raphune Hill, described as a “long winding road,” on St. Thomas was renamed after educator and activist Dorothy “Dotsy” Lockhart Elskoe. Dorothy Elskoe was a key cultural preserver and figure who is credited with being one of the original ten organizers who revitalized the territory’s carnival in 1952.

Akin, Bernetia. “V.I. Has a Lot to Lose to Rising Sea Levels.” St. Croix Source, February 21, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/02/17/v-i-has-a-lot-to-lose-to-rising-sea-levels/.

• A recent Federal Climate Report has stated that oceans are rising at a level faster than previously predicted. The exact amount of rise is connected to the type of land that is near the shoreline, for example the Gulf Coast which has seen extensive drilling is expected to see a large rise in sea level. It is roughly predicted that U.S.V.I and other similar regions will face a sea level rise of eight to ten inches by 2050. Gregory Guannel of the Caribbean Green Technology Center at the University of the Virgin Islands, along with a small team, has been mapping the sea level during the island’s king tides. King tides come in November and are when V.I seas are at their highest, Guannel believes these levels can be a predictor of what’s to come.

Roberts, Amy H. “Island Green Living Association Launches Plastic Recycling Program While Calling for Further Action.” St. Croix Source, February 21, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/02/18/island-green-living-association-launches-plastic-recycling-program-while-calling-for-further-action/.

• The Island Green Living Association has officially opened a ReSource Depot that can now collect three different types of plastics commonly found in soda, milk, and food containers. The ReSource Depot is a part of theOcean-Bound Plastics Recycling Program which has previously been known for their work in the recycling of aluminum. At the ribbon cutting ceremony calls were made for a ban on single use plastics and a limit on the import of cars that run on fossil fuels. Calls were also made to enforce current environmental laws and ordinances such as a ban on the sale of plastic straws and toxic sunscreen which are still being sold in some V.I shops. The issue of recycling plastics is connected to the V.I’s economy, where tourists who come to use beaches may be turned away by excessive plastic debris washed in from sea.

Probasco, Mat. “EPA Awards USVI Wetland Mapping Funds.” St. Croix Source, February 26, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/02/25/epa-awards-usvi-wetland-mapping-funds/.

• The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has awarded USVI with $65,000 to update its wetland maps. Wetlands are extremely important to the USVI environment, this is due to their ability to support the health of aquatic systems, provide flood and erosion control, and help sustain local wildlife. The goal of the mapping is to delineate boundaries and classify wetland makeup and type. This comes after a 2020 EPA study found 158 instances of pollution that limited the use of USVI coastal areas.

March 2022

Academic Publications

Mass Media

Cobb, Sian. “EPA, Justice Department Lay out Terms for STX Refinery’s Restart.” St. Croix Source, March 7, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/03/05/epa-justice-department-lay-out-terms-for-stx-refinerys-restart/.

• Since acquiring the failed Limetree Bay Refinery, West Indies Petroleum has been looking for a pathway towards restarting work at the refinery. The key issues relating to this are concerns by the EPA and Justice Department over past incidences of pollution and whether or not West Indies Petroleum can still use some of the existing permits. In early 2021, the Limetree Bay Refinery emitted Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfur Dioxide, and toxic flares that polluted homes in St. Croix. To prevent this from happening again, the EPA is demanding a report of the initial “root causes” for pollution and a list of corresponding corrective measures. The EPA and Justice department is also demanding the new owners reapply for certain permits such as a discharge permit and a new consent decree with the U.S government.

Source Staff. “Intellectual Giants Meet at the V.I. Studies Collective Conference.” St. Croix Source, March 8, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/02/27/intellectual-giants-meet-at-the-v-i-studies-collective-conference/.

• The V.I Collective Studies Conference brought together several leading USVI scholars such as Dr. Gilbert Sprauve, a professor of linguistics who studies on St. John and St. Thomas. Present at the conference were founding scholars Tiphanie Yanique and Dr. Hadiya Sewer. Tiphanie Yanique is an award winning author, and Dr. Hidiya Sewer is a prominent scholar in the development of “Caribbean Black Feminism.” Also at the conference were film screenings including, “We Carry within Us,” a film by Dr. Helle Stenum that explores Danish colonialism and racism in what is now the USVI.

Gilbert, Ernice. “Bryan Announces Plan to Make St. Croix 100 Percent Solar-Powered in Months, Saying Rising Cost of Fuel Threatens Economy.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, March 14, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-top_stories/virgin-islands-bryan-announces-plan-to-make-st-croix-100-percent-solar-powered-in-months-saying-rising-cost-of-fuel-threatens-economy.

• Governor Bryan, in the midst of constant energy issues, has announced his intention of making the St. Croix, known as the big island, completely solar powered. The timeline for this is in months and Governor Bryan believes a partnership with a “major energy firm,” can lead to construction of a solar power plant big enough to provide energy for the whole eighty four square mile island. If St. Croix were to become completely solar powered it would mean lower fuel prices which in turn can lead to lower prices across multiple industries and more disposable income for the people of the USVI.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Fuel Shortage on St. Croix Prompts New WAPA Contract with Limetree Bay.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, March 19, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/fuel-shortage-on-st-croix-prompts-new-wapa-contract-with-limetree-bay/article_bad6b20e-bb8b-5868-b38c-531919392132.html.

• Unsafe conditions caused by high winds have prevented ships from refueling the St. Croix power plant, leaving the plant in a precarious state. To mitigate this, the V.I Water and Power Authority will now be able to move fuel via trucks instead of by boat. In addition to this, an emergency agreement was reached to allow for the purchase of oil from the Gulf Oil company, as needed.

Source staff. “EPA Says Indicators Strong That St. Croix Refinery Will Need New Permits.” St. Croix Source, March 28, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/03/28/epa-says-indicators-strong-that-st-croix-refinery-will-need-new-permits/ .

• The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that there are “strong indicators” that the St. Croix Refinery will need new clean air permits including a Prevention of Significant Deterioration or PSD permit. Permits have been an issue plaguing West Indies Petroleum, the amalgamated company that purchased the refinery after Limetree filed for bankruptcy. Limetree had relied on previous permits from Hovensa, the original refinery owner and assurances from the Trump administration. In addition to a PSD permit, the EPA is also requiring additional information from West Indies Petroleum mainly if there are current or planned changes to the process and emission of units by the refinery.

 

 

April 2022

Academic Publications

Thomson, Ryan, and Tameka Samuels-Jones. “Toxic Colonialism in the Territorial Isles: A Geospatial Analysis of Environmental Crime Across U.s. Territorial Islands 2013-2017.” International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 66, no. 4 (2022): 470–91. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X20975161.

• “Toxic Colonialism” maps the geographic distribution of EPA violations across the unincorporated territories using a criminological framework. The study also uses a geospatial legal analysis to identify island areas with a disproportionate amount of green criminal activity. Focusing on the period from 2013-2017, the study found that Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa represent a pattern of green crime that is tied to tourism, commercial production, militarism, and nuclear testing. The goal of the study is to address a gap in research and confront the “historical struggles” of native islanders.

Mass Media

Staff Consortium. “EPA Hires Olivia Glenn to Lead Environmental Justice Efforts in U.S. Virgin Islands, Other Region 2 Jurisdictions.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, April 1, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-environment/virgin-islands-epa-hires-olivia-glenn-to-lead-environmental-justice-efforts-in-u-s-virgin-islands-other-region-2-jurisdictions.

• Oliva Glenn has been appointmented senior advisor for equity to chief regional administrator Lisa F. Garcia, for the EPA’s region 2. Glemn has been hired to help the EPA region 2 reach its goals of more environmental justice work and diversity.Prior to the their appointment to the EPA, Glenn has also served as commissioner of environmental justice and equity for the New Jersey department of environmental protection,

Gilbert , Ernice. “St. Croix Refinery Could Play Key Role in Supplying U.S. with Oil, Bryan Says as He Calls on Biden to Consider Option.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, April 13, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-st-croix-refinery-could-play-key-role-in-supplying-u-s-with-oil-bryan-says-as-he-calls-on-biden-to-consider-option.

• In a statement, Governor Bryan called on the Biden Administration to support the reopening of the failed Limetree Bay Refinery. Believing the refinery can play a “key role” in addressing the world energy needs, in light of the war in Ukraine, the governor stated that the refinery is “strategically placed.” With the capacity to store over 200,000 barrelsof oil or 4 million gallons of gasoline, the governor boasts that if restarted it can supply the American east coast.

Shimel, Judi. “Jury Selection Starts Tuesday for Toxic Dust Trial.” St. Croix Source, April 19, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/04/18/jury-selection-starts-tuesday-for-toxic-dust-trial/.

• The first civil trial pitting former St. Croix refinery workers against Amerada Hess, the refinery’s original owner, is set to begin shortly, according to an attorney representing the workers. The case is Kadar Mohansingh vs Amerada and is one of “hundreds” against the Hess corporation. At the time it was Hess Oil then later Hovensa, a hybrid corporation formed between Hess and Petroleos de Venezuela. The lawsuit against Amerada Hess is classified as a toxic tort, workers told the court that they became ill after being exposed to toxic dust believed to be contaminated with asbestos.

Shimel, Judi. “Texas Judge Imposes Stay on St. Croix Toxic Dust Trial.” St. Croix Source, April 30, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/04/29/texas-judge-imposes-stay-on-st-croix-toxic-dust-trial/.

• A federal bankruptcy court judge in Texas ruled that the toxic dust trial against Hess Oil cannot proceed as scheduled. Hess and its successor company filed for bankruptcy in late April and attorney Russell Plate representing plaintiff Kadar Mohansingh said the ruling came just one day after Hess Oil filed a notice of automatic stay and emergency motion for continuance. Hundreds of workers have settled out of court; up to 2018, Hess has settled over 1,000 asbestos lung scarring cases and asbestos lung cancer lawsuits filed by St. Croix workers and their spouses.

 

May 2022

Academic Publications

Mass Media

Ellis, Susan. “TNC Dedicates Coral Innovation Hub on St. Croix.” St. Croix Source, May 14, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/05/13/tnc-dedicates-coral-innovation-hub-on-st-croix/.

• The Nature Conservancy opened the V.I Coral Innovation Hub, which focuses on coral research, conservations, and new coral science. There is also an aim to use technology to share research and knowledge with other islands and the world. The program involves “micro fragmenting” or growing coral embryos offshore. The purpose of the hub is to help the reefs recover and help grow more corals with better survival rates while preserving coral genetic diversity for better reef resilience.

Staff Consortium. “U.S. Office of Insular Affairs Official Tour Limetree Bay, Other Locations during USVI Visit.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, May 16, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-environment/virgin-islands-u-s-office-of-insular-affairs-official-visits-limetree-bay-other-locations-during-usvi-visit.

• The deputy assistant for insular and international affairs, Keone Nakoa, visited the U.S Virgin Islands, making stops on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. During their visit they met with territorial leaders and federal officers to discuss “urgent priorities” in the territories. Deputy assistant Nakoa also visited with the National Park Service and toured the Caneel Bay Redevelopment project. Most critical was the deputy assistant’s tour of the Limetree Bay Refinery, where they met with community groups and discussed the impact of the refinery on the local community.

Staff Consortium. “Bryan Appeals to House Lawmakers for Help with EPA on Refinery’s Reopening, Criticizes U.S. Supreme Court Decision Denying SSI Benefits to Territories.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, May 19, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-government/virgin-islands-bryan-appeals-to-epa-to-clear-path-for-refinerys-reopening-criticizes-u-s-supreme-court-decision-denying-ssi-benefits-to-territories.

• Governor Bryan testified virtually before the U.S House’s Committee on National Resources. During his testimony, Bryan touched upon several issues relating to the USVI including the need for federal agencies to waive the fund matching obligations for disaster relief funding. Governor Bryan also called for the reversal of tax code stipulations that subjected teh territories to a “GILTI” tax and the restoration of adequate funding to the territory’s highways. Most importantly, the governor continued his call for assistance with the failed Limetree Bay Refinery, asking for support with the EPA and its concerns over the refinery’s reopening.

Staff Consortium. “Dept. of Labor Hosting Rapid Reponse Event for Employees Impacted by Recent Pinnacle Layoffs.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, May 20, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-community_center/virgin-islands-dept-of-labor-hosting-rapid-reponse-event-for-employees-impacted-by-recent-pinnacle-layoffs.

• The department of labor will be hosting a rapid response session, on Thursday from 2pm to 5pm at the Pinnacle Services facility. The session is designed to provide access to services and assistance to both individuals and businesses impacted by the Pinnacle Layoffs. Attendees will receive information regarding employment opportunities, training, financial assistance, and support with filing for unemployment insurance. The goal of the session is to, “Administer a system of effective programs and services designed to develop, protect, and maintain a viable workforce.”

 

 

June 2022

Academic Publications

Mass Media

Staff Consortium. “USVI Receives $300,000 from EPA to Support Water Quality Monitoring for Safe Beach Recreation.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 2, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-government/virgin-islands-usvi-receives-300000-from-epa-to-support-water-quality-monitoring-for-safe-beach-recreation.

• The USVI is among 38 states, territories, and Indigenous nations that will receive funding from the EPA for beach monitoring and notification programs. The funding is awarded by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act and is meant to address instances when bacteria levels are too high for swimming.

Gilbert , Ernice. “Refinery Owners Fail to Pay Debt of $5.6 Million to Limetree Bay Terminals and Are Cut off from Services as Fight between Two Entities Goes Public.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 3, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-refinery-owners-fail-to-pay-debt-of-5-6-million-to-limetree-bay-terminals-and-are-cut-off-from-services-as-fight-between-two-entities-goes-public.

• The fight between Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation and their partners West Indies Petroleum versus Limetree Bay Terminals has become public. The fight was made public through a court filing by Limetree Bay Terminals seeking to correct the record regarding alleged statements made by Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation or the PHRT counsel. The PHRT counsel had allegedly made comments stating that Limetree Bay Terminals failed to turn over assets that were conveyed to PHRT after the sale of the failed Limetree Bay refinery. Limetree Bay Terminals argues that PHRT owes them millions in past due payments and as of their recent court filing has cut off shared service to them.

Gilbert , Ernice. “With Limetree Bay Refinery Closed, Bryan Sees Construction Driving St. Croix Economy for next Several Years.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 7, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-with-limetree-bay-closed-bryan-sees-construction-driving-st-croix-economy-for-next-several-years.

• In relation to the closing of the Limetree Bay Refinery and the future of the St. Governor Bryan stated, “I think for the next 6 or 7 years it’s going to be construction that is going to be the employment replacement.” Supporting this, the governor mentioned several projects that the island currently has underway such as, the expansion of the King Christian Hotel and a closing of a 50 year lease with the Hotel on the Cay. The projects are all geared towards tourism, an industry the governor hopes will lead the economy of St. Croix in the future.

Staff Consortium. “Limetree Bay Terminals Currently in Default on Payments to GVI; 651 People Employed at Terminal as of March; 27 Million Barrels of Oil in Storage.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 18, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-art/virgin-islands-limetree-bay-terminals-currently-in-default-on-payments-to-gvi-651-people-employed-at-terminal-as-of-march-27-million-barrels-of-oil-in-storage.

• Nathan Simmons, the director of the Public Finance Authority, has revealed that Limetree Bay Terminals is in default of its variable payments to the government of the Virgin Islands. Limetree Bay Terminal viable payments for FY 2021 were $9.4 million, in FY 2022 the company has only paid its first quarter payments, a sum of $1.9 million. Failing to make their second quarter payments, Limetree Bay Terminals has been advised that they are in default. The company has “indicated” that they will cure the default within a 90 day period.

Staff Consortium. “EPA Urging USVI, Other Region 2 Members to Apply for $500 Million in Available Funding for Clean School Buses.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 20, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-environment/virgin-islands-epa-urging-usvi-other-region-2-members-to-apply-for-500-million-in-available-funding-for-clean-school-buses.

• The Biden administration through the EPA has announced funding available for school districts and eligible bus operators and contractors to replace their school buses with buses that are, “clean, American made, with zero emissions.” The goal is for school districts and contractors to replace their fleets over the next five years.The first round of funding is for $500 million and it has been secured through a bipartisan infrastructure law that allows the EPA to prioritize applicants from high need education agencies.

Roberts, Amy H. “VINP Supt. Fields Updates Status of Caneel Redevelopment Plan.” St. Croix Source, June 21, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/06/20/vinp-supt-fields-updates-status-of-caneel-redevelopment-plan/.

• The National Park Service published a report summarizing the comments submitted by the public in response to the Caneel Bay redevelopment proposals, presented earlier this year. The report presents different responses taken from 1,200 comments stemming from a survey where community members were asked to pick from four possible proposals for the Caneel Bay project. V.I National Park superintendent stated that the fundamental question is, “Do we open up accommodations, or not? If so, what size, scale, scope?

Gilbert , Ernice. “West Indies Petroleum, in Sudden Left-Field Announcement, Says It Has No Stake in Limetree Bay Refinery.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 22, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-west-indies-petroleum-in-left-field-announcement-says-it-has-no-stake-in-limetree-bay-refinery.

• West Indies Petroleum has stated that they do not have any ownership of the failed Limetree Bay Refinery, nor have they ever, which comes as a shock after their highly publicized purchase of the failed refinery in January along with partner Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation. Citing certain “legalities” as to why they were “prohibited” from clarifying the issue of ownership of the failed refinery earlier. West Indies Petroleum did admit tobeing a part of the bidding process but due to legal factors could not purse the bid any further. The company then went on to further clarify that the real owners of Limetree Bay Refinery is Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation, a consortium made up of U.S and Caribbean investors.

Gilbert , Ernice. “Bryan Holds Meeting with Principals of Port Hamilton, Says Owners Sought to Detach West Indies Petroleum’s Name as Company Has No Stake in Refinery.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 23, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-community_center/virgin-islands-bryan-holds-meeting-with-principals-of-port-hamilton-says-owners-sought-to-detach-west-indies-petroleums-name-as-company-has-no-stake-in-refinery.

• Governor Bryan held a number of meetings following West Indies Petroleum’s announcement that they have no nor have ever had stake in the failed Limetree Bay Refinery. According to the governor, “What’s happening is whenever Port Hamiliton gets any bad reporting they’re saying West Indies Petroleum but WIP is a separate company, so it messes with their branding and reputation.” A statement issued by Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation called the announcement by West Indies Petroleum badly handled but urged that there was “nothing to worry about.”

George , Elesha. “Threat of Taxi Strike and Unpreparedness Loom over Upcoming Tourist Season; Miscommunication Delays Planned Fare Increase.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 23, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-threat-of-taxi-strike-and-unpreparedness-loom-over-upcoming-tourist-season-miscommunication-delays-planned-fare-increas

• I taxi drivers are threatening a strike at a time when work conditions have been severely impacted by a fall of revenue from Covid restrictions and increased gas prices. With a lack of action from the taxicab commission, operators and motorists have implemented their own pricing. Fare being a critical issue to drivers and operators due to a stagnant fare for private road drivers that hasn’t increased in 17 years.

Gilbert , Ernice. “Vialet Calls on Bryan to Ensure That Sale Transaction of Refinery Is Legally Binding; Gov’t House Issues Statement.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 23, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-vialet-calls-on-government-to-ensure-that-sale-transaction-of-refinery-is-legally-binding-govt-house-issues-statement-.

• Senator Kurt Vialet called on the Bryan administration to ensure that the sale transaction of Limetree Bay Refinery is legally binding. Vilat has stated that the government should “seek to learn” which entity the refinery was awarded to as per the bankruptcy proceedings and to determine which entity established “legal liability” with the EPA. An important question raised by Vialet is whether or not Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation has the financial resources to restart and maintain the failed refinery.

Staff Consortium. “St. Croix Energy Says Reopening of Refinery Auction after Successful Bid by SCE Was Improper.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 24, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-st-croix-energy-says-reopening-of-refinery-auction-after-successful-bid-by-sce-was-improper.

• Croix Energy released an announcement calling the reopening of the refinery auction in which they later lost to Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation “improper.” In their statement, SCE went on to demonstrate their commitment to their “flagship” goals which included retaining “the best professionals”. Listing Ropes and Fray as legal advisor, Greenhill as capital advisor and SLR as environmental advisor, the SCE ended their statement by expressing their willingness to help the refinery execute a environmentally friendly restart.

Simon , Janeka. “EPA Consulting U.S. Dept. of Justice Following West Indies Petroleum’s Announcement Stating It Has No Stake in Limetree Bay Refinery.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 24, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-epa-consulting-u-s-dept-of-justice-following-west-indies-petroleums-announcement-stating-it-has-no-stake-in-limetree-bay-refinery.

• Federal lawyers are looking over announcements concerning the Limetree Bay Refinery, the first from West Indies Petroleum and the second being from Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation. Both statements conclude that West indies Petroleum was not involved in the “ownership structure” of the failed refinery despite Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation in the past having said otherwise. Governor Bryan has said that there is “nothing out of the ordinary” with the refinery’s ownership and the government house has stated that both PHRT and WIP were purchasers under the agreement but all court filings and assets belong to PHRT.

Gilbert , Ernice. “Port Hamilton Selling $18.8 Million Worth of Platinum Catalyst, a Critical Commodity in Oil Refining.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, June 24, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-exclusive/virgin-islands-port-hamilton-selling-18-8-million-worth-of-platinum-catalyst-a-critical-commodity-in-oil-refining.

• Port Hamilton Refinery and Transportation is currently selling 12,490 troy ounces of platinum and rhenium catalyst which equals to 865.4 Platinum is currently priced at $122,000 per pound, making the sale worth $18.8 million. It is speculated that the sale could be used to raise money for operational expenses and debts including $5.6 million owed to Limetree Bay Terminal. Platinum catalysts have been used in petroleum refineries to reform naphtha into high octane blending components for gasoline called catalyst reforming.

July 2022

Academic Publications

Mass Media

 

Carlson, Suzanne. “Effect of high court’s EPA ruling unclear on St. Croix refinery restart.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Jul 1, 2022.https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/effect-of-high-courts-epa-ruling-unclear-on-st-croix-refinery-restart/article_fde66f50-220b-5999-94be-9431ecd8eba6.html

• The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday that limits the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions from power plants, but it’s unclear what practical effect the decision might have on plans to restart Limetree Bay refinery on St. Croix.

Cobb, Sian. “Supreme Court Ruling’s Impact on Limetree Not Yet Known.” The St. Croix. Source, July 1, 2022.https://stcroixsource.com/2022/07/01/supreme-court-rulings-impact-on-limetree-not-yet-known/

• S. Supreme Court’s ruling on limiting the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions at power plants made EPA administrator Michael Regan and President Joe Biden disappointed. This news analyzed whether US. Supreme Court’s ruling would affect the reopening or oversight of the Limetree Bay Refinery on St. Croix. Local government and EPA’s regional media representative announced that they would pay attention on the latest news and make the reopening comply with the law on public health or environmental safety. This article reviewed the history of Limetree and the current purchase of Port Hamilton, and the last related case of United States of America v. Limetree Bay Refining and Limetree Bay Terminals in 2021.

Gilbert, Ernice. “Oil Prices Fall Below $100 For First Time Since May, Giving Hope to Less Pain at the Pump.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, July 06, 2022.https://viconsortium.com/vi-economy/virgin-islands-oil-prices-fall-below-100-for-first-time-since-may-giving-hope-to-less-pain-at-pump

• This article introduced the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the reopening of economies around the world form COVID-induced lockdowns, the inflation in the U.S., and the Federal Reserve’s increased benchmark interest rate affected the oil prices. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the prices for a gallon dropped. During the oil increasing period, The V.I. Water and Power Authority has been receiving roughly $4 million a month since March from the government so that the higher costs are not passed onto consumers. Accordingly, With the price of oil dropping, the government’s subsidy to the authority may end or see drastic reductions. In addition, Governor Albert Bryan accelerated the plan to move the territory away from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy.

Simon, Janeka. “Limetree Bay Terminals Turns to Local Court in Demanding Millions Owed by Port Hamilton Refining, as Saga on St. Croix’s South Shore Continues.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, July 07, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-limetree-bay-turns-to-local-court-in-demanding-millions-owed-by-port-hamilton-refining-as-saga-on-st-croixs-south-shore-continues

• Limetree Bay Terminals (LBT) requested assistance from the local courts in obtaining past due payments from Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation (PHRT). Limetree provided services to PHRT, and the cost was supposed to have been shared by both parties. However, PHRT and LBT were involved into a record in the Texas bankruptcy court. So, the PHRT remitted payment to Limetree. This article introduced the history of PHRT from Jamaican company West Indies Petroleum Limited, the agreements of LBT and PHRT since 2018.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Senators to question stakeholders on status of refinery.” The Virgin Islands. Daily News, Jul 8, 2022.https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/senators-to-question-stakeholders-on-status-of-refinery/article_ba6c73a9-0b78-5990-bc34-55829c05a616.html

• Senators would meet in the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture to try and determine the status of the former Limetree Bay Oil refinery on St. Croix, because they must consider local people’ requirements of environmental protection.

Gilbert, Ernice. “Port Hamilton Embarks on Effort to Raise $200 Million for Refinery Restart; Officials to Face Senate July 14.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, July 08, 2022.https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-port-hamilton-embarks-on-effort-to-raise-200-million-for-refinery-restart-officials-to-face-senate-july-14

• Officials of the Limetree Bay Refinery have embarked on efforts to raise funding to restart oil refining. New refinery owners Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation was sued by Limetree Bay Refinery on ownership stake. Port Hamilton is seeking to raise between $175 million to $200 million from lenders to restart the refinery. Port Hamilton’s inability to raise funds would jeopardize any restart effort

Staff Consortium. “Port Hamilton Says It Has Intensified Push to Restart Refinery by Mid-2023 in Light of High Gas Prices, Rising Inflation.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, July 12, 2022.https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-port-hamilton-says-it-has-intensified-push-to-restart-refinery-by-mid-2023-in-light-of-high-gas-prices-rising-inflation

• Port Hamilton embarked on an effort to raise $200 million in its bid to restart refining. Charles Chambers, the chief principal, announced the plan to restart in 2023 with creating full-times jobs on St. Croix, and continued to have conversations with local and federal regulators to ensure the safe, environmentally friendly, and quick restart of the refinery.

Probasco, Mat. “New Refinery Owner Wants Swift Restart.” The St. Croix Source, July 12, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/07/12/new-refinery-owner-wants-swift-restart/

• This news was about explanations of Charles Chambers, a main principal at Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, on a speedy restart of St. Croix’s oil refinery, formerly known as Hovensa and Limetree. Chambers explained that “the demand for refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel is exceeding the industry’s current capability to supply this demand.” Next Chambers would continue conversations with local and federal regulators and other critical constituents to ensure the safe, environmentally-friendly, and speedy restart of the refinery.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Port Hamilton says refinery restart could come in 2023.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Jul 13, 2022.https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/port-hamilton-says-refinery-restart-could-come-in-2023/article_acba45ff-2049-5570-b867-2a0ceb7072fb.html

• The new owner of the refinery, Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, used a statement saying the company hoped to restart operations in 2023.

Mitchell, William. “Port Hamilton Pushes to Restart Major Refinery To Help Address. Regional Fuel Prices Concern.” Nationwide News Network, Jul 13, 2022. https://nationwideradiojm.com/port-hamilton-pushes-to-restart-major-refinery-to-help-address-regional-fuel-prices-concern/

• Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation (PHRT), the owner of the recently idled refinery on St. Croix, said it’s reiterating its commitment to the safe and environmentally sound restarting of the refinery at 180,000 barrels per day amidst the current tight supply environment. Charles Chambers, one of PHRT’s chief principals, stressed that the shortness of supply in the market contributed to price increases, and the restart of the refinery would help to alleviate this tight supply situation.

Buchanan, Don. “Senators Find Refinery Buyers’ Answers Uncomfortable.” The St. Croix Source, July 14, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/07/14/senators-find-refinery-buyers-answers-uncomfortable/

• Charles Chambers, the representative of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation and West Indie Petroleum, was questioned by senators like Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger, on the ownership of the Limetree Bay Refinery. The senators were not satisfied with the answers. Danville Walker, senior vice president of West Indies Petroleum, emphasized the separate legal status of West Indies Petroleum and Port Hamilton. Also, the sale of the refinery was a matter of public record in the docket of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Committee Updated on the Status of The Lime Tree Bay Refinery; President Hall Presents the. V.I. Agriculture Plan. Legislature of the Virgin Islands, July 15, 2022.https://legvi.org/index.php/committee-updated-on-the-status-of-the-lime-tree-bay-refinery-president-hall-presents-the-v-i-agriculture-plan/

• Official report by the legislature of the V. I. ST. CROIX- Members of the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, chaired by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, updated on the status of Limetree Bay Refinery (LBR), its recent sale, ownership, and activities at the refinery site. according to Nathan Simmonds, Director of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority (VIPFA), since the reopening on Jan 31, 2021, LBR failed to meet financial obligations for several quarterly payments. Charles Chambers, representative of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, a special purpose vehicle to acquire the refinery and current business owner, stated that payments will resume once the refinery is operable.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Senators question refinery ownership, restart plans.” The Virgin Islands. Daily News, Jul 15, 2022.https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/senators-question-refinery-ownership-restart-plans/article_922a3e74-1c5d-50f6-b90e-220fa999ab41.html

• Senators expressed disappointment and trepidation after hearing from Charles, Chambers, principal owner of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation. Also, EPA required related information according to the federal regulations. The investor group St. Croix Energy felt unsatisfied with the Port Hamilton.

George, Elesha. “Senators Unconvinced Limetree Bay Refinery is Prepared to Reopen Months. After Oil Spill Affected Thousands of St. Croix Residents Under Old Management.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, July 15, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-senators-unconvinced-limetree-bay-refinery-is-prepared-to-reopen-months-after-oil-spill-affected-thousands-of-st-croix-residents-under-old-management

• Charles Chambers, the principal owner of Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation, made his company the majority shareholder in the refinery, and wished the refinery to become operational in 2023. But they must convince lawmakers in the Virgin Islands that they had the finances, equipment, and investor support to do so safely. Senators in the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, EPA, Department of Planning Natural Resources (DPNR), V.I. Economic Development Authority (EDA) questioned the reopening of the refinery.

Gittens, Kenneth L. “Legislature Corner: Port Hamilton Says It Will Reopen Refinery in 2023.” The St. Croix Source, July 16, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/07/16/legislature-corner-port-hamilton-says-it-will-reopen-refinery-in-2023/

• Kenneth L. Gittens is a member of the 34th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands and The Economic Development and Agriculture Committee Chairman. Gittens said he had hoped to provide a clearer picture as to the sale of the refinery, plans to reopen or repurpose it. But Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation did not satisfy EPA with enhanced environmental protection measures. Besides, Pot Hamilton did not clearly say who now owned the company. Gittens cared about health and safety, local businesses, and individuals, especially the employment. Gittens would like to accelerate the plan of purchase and restart, gaining support of University of the Virgin Islands President David Hall, considering the pandemic tough situation.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Refinery owner to answer questions at planned tour.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Jul 18, 2022.https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/refinery-owner-to-answer-questions-at-planned-tour/article_0a0925cb-1c3e-5717-8355-71c3870b2a44.html

• EPA, principal owner of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation would answer questions on its ownership and status during a tour to senators and EPA. Charles Chambers is also the director and chief executive officer of Jamaican energy company West Indies Petroleum, and he would explain how he and others formed Port Hamilton.

 

 

 

 

August 2022

Academic Publications

Mass Media

Source Staff. “Smoldering Petroleum Coke Pile Discovered at St. Croix Refinery.” The St. Croix Source, August 8, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/08/08/smoldering-petroleum-coke-pile-detected-at-st-croix-refinery/

• Around 4:20 a.m. on Thursday, an automatic alarm system was activated inside one of the coke storage domes at the facility and a pile of petroleum coke was slowly smoldering. Port Hamilton said that petroleum coke was a solid fuel that resembled charcoal. Port Hamilton released that they sprayed water 24 hours to suppress the smoldering coke. Before the accident, Port Hamilton’s fence-line air monitoring network did not detect any impacts. Port Hamilton declared that “The safety of the workers and the public remains Port Hamilton’s first priority.”

Cobb, Sian. “Limetree Bay Terminals Announces It is Now Ocean Point Terminals.” The St. Croix Source, August 8, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/08/08/limetree-bay-terminals-announces-it-is-now-ocean-point-terminals/

• The CEO of the St. Croix oil and fuel storage facility, Todd Dillabough, announced that Limetree Bay Terminals (LBT) was now Ocean Point Terminals to “connects the business to both the USVI community and the world.” Limetree Bay Terminals/Ocean Point Terminals was a separate corporate entity from the refinery, though according to court documents, the companies shared some infrastructure, including power generation, wastewater treatment…Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation worked to restart the former Limetree Bay Refinery, so Those shared resources led Limetree Bay Terminals to file a complaint in V.I. Superior Court on June 22, alleging that Port Hamilton owes millions of dollars in past-due payments for its share of the services under a temporary agreement with LBT. The case was still pending. Meanwhile, both entities were named as defendants in a complaint brought by the U.S. Justice Department on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency in July 2021. The Ocean Point Terminals website: https://www.opterminals.com/

Carlson, Suzanne. “Limetree Bay Terminals announces name change.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Aug 8, 2022.https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/limetree-bay-terminals-announces-name-change/article_f1dcbaf1-3def-5b9f-9107-65106e6d346b.html

• Limetree Bay Refining, a refinery in St. Croix, went into bankruptcy. Limetree Bay Terminals, which operated independently as a fuel bunkering facility, but still shared certain infrastructure services with the former Limetree Bay refinery, announced their new name-Ocean Point Terminals-in order to distance themselves from the troubled Limetree Bay Refining. Ocean Point Terminals were also involved into the conflict with the refinery’s new owner, Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, and a civil case by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Carlson, Suzanne. “New refinery owners working to suppress smoldering fuel.” The Virgin. Islands Daily News, Aug 9, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/new-refinery-owners-working-to-suppress-smoldering-fuel/article_40bcf5bd-c811-52a0-be09-93e5d56109bc.html

• A pile of petroleum coke, a solid fuel that resembled charcoal, was found smoldering. The facility’s new owners did not respond in time. It was not clear how the situation would affect Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation’s plans to restart operations in 2023. The refinery had previously shut down many times due to economic troubles and environmental issue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was aware of the incident. One of Port Hamilton’s chief principals, Charles Chambers would answer questions on the refinery’s ownership and status during a media tour that had not yet been scheduled.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Coke pile still smoldering at St. Croix refinery.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Aug 13, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/coke-pile-still-smoldering-at-st-croix-refinery/article_82344ff4-c7af-5a59-b0a7-8699c7e59000.html

• Crews had been keeping the fuel doused with water, and that work is ongoing. This report also traced the reason of the leftover of the materials. EPA was reviewing the related information.

Staff Consortium. “Port Hamilton Says 25 Employees Assigned to Monitor Coke Dome as Smoldering at Refinery Continues; DPNR, EPA Aware of Situation.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, Aug 13, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-health/virgin-islands-port-hamilton-says-25-employees-assigned-to-monitor-coke-dome-as-smoldering-at-refinery-continues-dpnr-epa-aware-of-situation

• 25 personnel are assigned to the Coke Dome at the site, including specialized emergency response personnel, to deal with the smoldering without flames. Both the EPA and the V.I. Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) had been made aware of the situation and were looking into it.

James, Canute. “Coke smolders at shuttered St Croix refinery.” Argus, Aug 15, 2022.https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2361144-coke-smolders-at-shuttered-st-croix-refinery

• The fire started on 4 August and “water has been applied 24 hours a day and the temperature readings inside the coke dome are being monitored,” PHRT said. This followed a shutdown order of the 200,000 b/d facility from the EPA because of coke accidents that caused oil to be sprayed on neighboring communities. EPA will move cautiously in examining Port Hamilton’s plan for restarting the facility.

Koster, Frans. “US Refining Capacity to Creep Higher in 2023.” Energy Intelligence, Aug 15, 2022.https://www.energyintel.com/00000182-a293-df02-a7ff-b29b38730000

• Refining capacity in the US was set to grow next year, but not nearly enough to offset the dramatic rationalization that started in the middle of 2019. This article analyzed the expansion of different refinery companies like Exxon Mobil. Also, this article stressed the potential restart of the former Hovensa refinery in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands, would add roughly 200,000 b/d in capacity. The timeline for the restoration of the refinery was uncertain, however, and previous attempts to restart had fallen apart. This article reviewed the selected refinery closures and conversions since 2019 due to the accidents and renewable fuels influence.

Carlson, Suzanne. “EPA wants answers on smoldering coke pile at St. Croix refinery.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Aug 20, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/epa-wants-answers-on-smoldering-coke-pile-at-st-croix-refinery/article_e885d68a-a11b-5cf3-a202-240a8237fac7.html

• EPA had been seeking answers from Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation about the cause and response to the smoldering pile of petroleum coke.

Gilbert, Ernice. “Fire Breaks Out on Coke Conveyor System at St. Croix Refinery, Firefighter Injured; Port Hamilton Says Situation Under Control; EPA, DPNR Notified.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, Aug 21, 2022.https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-fire-breaks-out-on-coke-conveyor-system-at-st-croix-refinery-firefighter-injured-port-hamilton-says-situation-under-control-epa-dpnr-notified

• Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation announced Sunday afternoon that a fire broke out at the refinery Sunday morning within the petroleum coke conveyor loading system, located outside and above the Coke Storage Dome. Port Hamilton also said that it also notified the V. I. Fire Service and patrolled neighboring communities with air monitoring equipment.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Second blaze reported at St. Croix refinery leaving firefighter with minor burn.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Aug 22, 2022.http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/second-blaze-reported-at-st-croix-refinery-leaving-firefighter-with-minor-burn/article_53ca19cb-0977-59cd-ae29-5691cf7c6b12.html

• A pile of petroleum coke started smoldering at the facility on Aug. 4 and for weeks, the company has been assuring the public that the situation was under control. Refinery Vice President and Manager Fermin Rodriguez added that “one of the Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation’s firefighters was treated for a minor burn” and that “Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation is in direct communication with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), EPA and the United States Coast Guard.”

Source Staff. “Fire Under Control at St. Croix Refinery, Port Hamilton Says.” The St. Croix Source, August 22, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/08/22/fire-under-control-at-st-croix-refinery-port-hamilton-says/

• Port Hamilton reported that A fire that broke out in a petroleum coke conveyor was under control about 7 a.m. Port Hamilton emergency response trained personnel responded immediately, and the St. Croix Fire Department and Ocean Point Terminals were notified and their emergency response personnel and equipment responded to the scene. Besides, Port Hamilton sad all air monitoring results were reported normal and would maintain communications with Department of Planning and Natural Resources, EPA and the United States Coast Guard.

Carlson, Suzanne. “EPA says its monitoring refinery fire, residents can report concerns to hotline.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Aug 22, 2022.http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/epa-says-its-monitoring-refinery-fire-residents-can-report-concerns-to-hotline/article_8f9cee19-0f59-51a4-8d8f-5ccc48bfa58a.html

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continuing to monitor the St. Croix refinery. EPA was in active discussion with the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the facility. EPA spokesman John Senn said people with concerns should call EPA public hotline.

Deep Vakil & Toby Chopra. “Fire at St. Croix refinery under control, firefighter injured, media report.” Reuters, Aug 22, 2022. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fire-st-croix-refinery-under-control-firefighter-injured-media-2022-08-22/

• A fire broke out around 7 a.m. (11:00 GMT) on Sunday at Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation’s shuttered refinery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, leaving one firefighter with a minor burn. The company stated that the situation had been under control.

Shimel, Judi. “Federal Authorities Question Refinery Operators About Recent Fires on St. Croix.” The St. Croix Source, August 23, 2022.https://stcroixsource.com/2022/08/23/federal-authorities-question-refinery-operators-about-recent-fires-on-st-croix/

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking the owners of the former Limetree Bay Oil Refinery to answer questions contained in a formal Request for Information sent on Aug. 18. A notice sent by the head of the EPA Response and Prevention Branch includes a warning that full disclosure of the matter in question is required by federal law. Response and Prevention Branch Chief Douglas Kodama said the agency wants to know how emissions, like sulfur dioxide, from the smoldering coke affect air quality in and around the plant. Also, EPA discussed with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the facility itself to gather more information. Refinery owners were given 14 days to respond in writing by electronic mail.

 

 

 

 

September 2022

Academic Publications

Simmonds, Khuma. “Caribbean women, music, and dance: Self-expression and intimate. partner violence (IPV) recovery.” PhD diss., Capella University, 2022.http://ccl.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/caribbean-women-music-dance-self-expression/docview/2714475239/se-2

• This paper presents qualitative data from a sample of 10 participants who identify as Caribbean women, have experienced IPV, and engaged in Caribbean music and dance activities during their recovery. This research explored how this group of women perceives the influence of those cultural art forms in their recovery from IPV by answering the research question: What is the perception of the influence of Caribbean music and dance on the self-expression of Caribbean women in the U.S. Virgin Islands who have recovered from IPV? The findings revealed that Caribbean women in the U.S. Virgin Islands who have recovered from IPV perceived Caribbean music and dance as critical influencers on their expressions of freedom, connection, resilience, and cultural identity.

Yang, Sheng-I ,Thomas J. Brandeis, Eileen H. Helmer, Michael P. Oatham, Tamara Heartsill-Scalley, and Humfredo Marcano-Vega. “Characterizing height-diameter relationships for Caribbean trees using mixed-effects random forest algorithm.” Forest Ecology and Management, Volume 524, 2022, 120507.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120507.

• This article accurately characterizing the relationships between tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) is vital to quantify productivity and predict tree growth for forest management. This study makes use of data from forest inventories in the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, Trinidad and the U.S. Virgin Islands to compare the efficacy of parametric mixed models, random forest and mixed-effects random forest algorithms (MERF) for modeling tree species-specific H-D relationships.

Shah, Kalim U. “Potential clean energy transition pathways in the U.S. Virgin Islands using. carbon sensitive policy options.” Energy for Sustainable Development, Volume 71, 2022, 89-103.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2022.09.009.

• This study uses the LEAP–OSeMOSYS modeling tool to examine exploratory decarbonization scenarios in the U. S Virgin Islands (USVI). The method combines quantitative modeling of data gathered from utilities and power generators with qualitative information gathered through engagement with experts and diverse business and civil society stakeholder. The results show the effects of two utility scale energy systems – on the islands of St Thomas /St John and St Croix – and future optimized capacity addition with solar, liquefied petroleum gas and wind, whereby renewable energy targets can be achieved over time.

Mandle, Jay R. “From Slavery to Services: The Struggle for Economic Independence in the Caribbean, by Victor Bulmer-Thomas.” Review of From Slavery to Services, by Victor Bulmer-Thomas. New West Indian Guide / Nieuwe West-Indische Gids 96, 3-4 (2022): 367-368.https://doi.org/10.1163/22134360-09603056

• This book review studies Victor Bulmer-Thomas’ work published on March 2021, on the economic history of Caribbean including US Virgin Islands. This book review criticized Bulmer-Thomas’s brief introduction of the external factors to explain the failure of economic modernization in this area. Also, the database provided by Bulmer-Thomas is also questioned.

Mass Media

Carlson, Suzanne. “Senators still awaiting ‘basic information’ from Port Hamilton.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Sep 1, 2022.https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/senators-still-awaiting-basic-information-from-port-hamilton/article_4cb05fc0-a427-5d65-a734-f8c40dd22366.html

• Leaders of Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation have yet to answer basic questions about who now owns the St. Croix refinery, and whether the facility is still on fire. Although the company said the situation was under control, a fire broke out on Aug. 21 and the company had not issued any public statements. Senators and The Environmental Protection Agency required the detailed answers on the fire.

Cobb, Sian. “Gittens Sets Monday Deadline for Information from St. Croix Refinery CEO.” The St. Croix Source, September 2, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/09/02/gittens-sets-monday-deadline-for-information-from-st-croix-refinery-ceo/

• Kenneth Gittens was eager to accelerate the restart of the oil refinery, which was Limetree Bay Refining. Although recently it suffered a smoldering coke fire, Gittens paid more attention on the ownership of the current oil refinery because Port Hamilton was still vague about this question. As a result, Sen. Kenneth Gittens gave Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation CEO Charles Chambers until Monday to provide answers to questions first raised during a legislative committee hearing on July 14. Meanwhile, Port Hamilton also faced a deadline from the Environmental Protection Agency to respond to questions about the fire and the smoldering coke pile.

George, Elesha. “Lawmakers Give Refinery Owners Until Monday to Furnish Information on. Reopening Plans.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, September 2, 2022.https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-lawmakers-give-refinery-owners-until-monday-to-furnish-information-on-reopening-plans

• Port Hamilton purchased the oil facility on St. Croix and would like to start in the second quarter of 2023. But Port Hamilton must convince lawmakers that has the finances, equipment and investor support to do so safely. During a July 14th hearing, Charles Chambers, the principal owner of Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation and his team were told to submit the status of several permits needed to reopen next year including a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, a Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and a new water pollution permit. On August 26^th, the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture issued a formal letter to Port Hamilton reemphasizing a request to furnish it with information that proves its readiness to restart the refinery. Until September 5^th, Port Hamilton must respond to a request by legislators to provide information that supports the company’s ability.

Bond, David. “Opinion: Can the Refinery Save St. Croix?” The St. Croix Source, September 5, 2022.https://stcroixsource.com/2022/09/05/opinion-can-the-refinery-save-st-croix/

• David Bond teaches anthropology at Bennington College. He researched the Hovensa refinery in 2010 and 2011 and has written on how the history of the refinery informs the present struggle for justice on St. Croix. This commentary introduced the dilemma between the boosting economic with oil refinery industry due to the increasing price of energy, and the environmental issue, labor rights issue, residents’ health issue. Bond cared about the residents living in the downwind of the oil refinery, the fishermen, farmers and other residents who suffered the pollution resulted from oil refinery. Bond questioned local governments’ strategy that viewed oil refinery as the only one opportunity to make economics prosperous. Bond recalled the environmental accidents recent years including the smoldering coke in August, and extended to the history of St. Croix as a colony being exploited.

Gilbert, Ernice. “Port Hamilton Says Smoldering at Coke Dome Extinguished; Company Provides Details on 3-Phase Refinery Startup Plan.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, September 6, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-port-hamilton-says-smoldering-at-coke-dome-extinguished-company-provides-details-on-3-phase-refinery-startup-plan

• Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation (PHRT) announced that the smoldering coke at the refinery’s coke storage dome that was detected on August 4 was extinguished twenty-two days later on August 26. The company also provided details to Senator Kenneth Gittens, who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, on the measurement of getting the smoldering coke under control. Also, in order to restart the oil refining, PHRT explained three phases to be accomplished.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Port Hamilton addresses ownership, refinery restart in letter to senators.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Sep 6, 2022. http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/port-hamilton-addresses-ownership-refinery-restart-in-letter-to-senators/article_e92b365c-41af-54e1-90c8-440a0f6a9341.html

• Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation sent a letter to the Legislature, assuring that a fire smoldering for weeks at the St. Croix refinery was extinguished on Aug. 26, but company officials did not fully respond to the lawmakers’ questions and concerns. The chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture was “totally not satisfied.” Port Hamilton wanted to take over Limetree Bay, which entered bankruptcy, and left bad impressions for its oil and noxious gas spray. Now the smoldering coke was a disaster for the restart plan. Moreover, although Port Hamilton assured that the smoldering coke was under control with 24-hours after the accident, on Aug. 21, the fire still broke out and the company chose silence.

Cobb, Sian. “Refinery Reportedly on Hunt for Financing; Partner Faces $50M Lawsuit.” The. St. Croix Source, Sept 7, 2022.https://stcroixsource.com/2022/09/07/refinery-reportedly-on-hunt-for-financing-partner-faces-50m-lawsuit/

• According to reporting by the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation (PHRT), and 3 directors of West Indies Petroleum Limited (WIPL), the Jamaica bunkering company bought the St. Croix refinery. But the latter two denied later. 2 former directors of WIPL were suing PHRT’s general partner, Virgin Islands Refining Co. LLC. According to the Gleaner article, WIPL CEO Charles Chambers did not disclose his shareholder in PHRT. Chambers worked to restart the refinery, but he confronted the bankruptcy auction and the warnings from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Chambers kept other questions from the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture on the company and questions on the smoldering coke pile discovered on Aug 4 unanswered. The news also reviewed the related case established by WIPL in Florida

IRBY, IYANLA. “Territory spared damage from Tropical Storm Fiona’s winds, heavy rains.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Sep 19, 2022.http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/territory-spared-damage-from-tropical-storm-fionas-winds-heavy-rains/article_c9c80211-d93f-5309-bbcc-46fda091fc98.html

• Tropical Storm Fiona caused a lot of troubles for local people. This article did not talk about the oil refinery industry but mentioned that in order to assure the energy supply, residents switch tanks back to propane instead of diesel, and bring oil by truck from the marine terminal.

Knauth, Dietrich. “Hess creditors seek dismissal of Virgin Islands bankruptcy.” Reuters, September 23, 2022. https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/hess-creditors-seek-dismissal-virgin-islands-bankruptcy-2022-09-23/

• The creditors of a bankrupt Hess Corp subsidiary have asked a U.S. judge to dismiss the company’s bankruptcy case, saying it serves no purpose other than to protect Hess from lawsuits related to asbestos exposure at a Virgin Islands oil refinery. Hess subsidiary HONX filed for Chapter 11 protection in Houston on April 29, saying it intended to take advantage of the “breathing spell” of a bankruptcy case to reach a fair and efficient resolution of asbestos claims against Hess. The case is HONX Inc, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, No. 22-90035.

Carlson, Suzanne. “VI receives additional federal funds for electric vehicles, charging stations.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Sep 23, 2022. http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/vi-receives-additional-federal-funds-for-electric-vehicles-charging-stations/article_94654e48-27d1-5004-81ca-7180d0399f2a.html

• This The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs has announced nearly $10 million in Energizing Insular Community grants for U.S. territories, including $3.44 million to the Virgin Islands, which includes $1.92 million to the V.I. Water and Power Authority for acquisition of two hybrid bucket trucks for the WAPA fleet and related training, acquisition of 10 electric pickup trucks for the WAPA fleet, installation of charging stations.

 

October 2022

Academic Publications

Mass Media

Carlson, Suzanne. “EPA drafting inspection report on St. Croix refinery.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Oct 14, 2022. http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/epa-drafting-inspection-report-on-st-croix-refinery/article_415ee484-3687-52f4-9bed-9efb8ea87e26.html

• The coke pile at the St. Croix refinery began smoldering on Aug 4 and finally extinguished on Aug. 26. EPA conducted a weeklong inspection from Sep 20-26 according to the Clean Air Act General Duty Clause requirements. EPA spokesman Elias Rodriguez stressed that EPA was focusing on the current idle state of the refinery and inspect the follow-up actions. Port Hamilton Principal investor Charles Chambers told senators at a committee hearing in July that the company intended to start hiring additional workers in September in anticipation of restarting operations but did not respond to questions about the status of the company’s efforts to obtain permits necessary for a restart.

Probasco, Mat. “EPA Finds Refinery Faults.” The St. Croix Source, Oct 25, 2022.https://stcroixsource.com/2022/10/25/epa-finds-refinery-faults/

• EPA inspected the cause of the fire accident at the refinery and concluded that St. Croix refinery had multiple safety issues including valves and piping in an advanced state of corrosion and disrepair, exposed wires could spark a fire, and vessels might fail. In the end EPA warned that the barrels of heavy oil were certified safe but lacked of routine preventative maintenance.

Gilbert, Ernice. “St. Croix Oil Refinery is a Ticking Time Bomb With Potential For ‘Explosions’ and ‘Catastrophic’ Gas Releases, Damning EPA Inspection Finds.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, Oct 26, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-st-croix-oil-refinery-is-a-ticking-time-bomb-with-potential-for-explosions-and-catastrophic-gas-releases-damning-epa-inspection-finds

• The EPA released new findings on the smoldering coke incident in August, 2022. A lack of maintenance could lead to disastrous outcomes, including what the federal agency described as potential for “explosions” and “catastrophic release” of harmful gases. The EPA said PHRT could not provide a current hazard assessment for the processes that presently contain extremely hazardous substances at the refinery. EPA then gave suggestions on a next preventative maintenance program. Although Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation (PHRT) said they had daily walkthroughs for maintenance, EPA did not agree with this conclusion after a tour. EPA’s findings were published in EPA’s official website 5 days ago. In July, Port Hamilton said it had intensified its push to restart the refinery by mid-2023, but The EPA’s report exposed difficult and time-consuming environmental and safety hurdles the company would have to address ahead of a potential restart.

Rodriguez, Fermin. “Open forum: Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation Prepares for Safe Start Up.” The St. Croix Source, Oct 27, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/10/27/open-forum-port-hamilton-refining-and-transportation-prepares-for-safe-start-up/

• Fermin Rodriguez was the vice president and refinery manager of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation LLLP(PHRT), which wished to assure the public that despite recent reports of concerns about the safety of the facility, the company continued maintaining the facility it purchased in January of this year in preparation for a safe start-up. Required by EPA, PHRT would provide more information to assure the safety of refinery employees and the community.

Senator-at-large Angel Bolques Jr. “Legislature Corner: EPA Report on Its Inspection of Port. Hamilton Refinery on St. Croix.” The St. Croix Source, Oct 27, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/10/27/legislature-corner-epa-report-on-its-inspection-of-port-hamilton-refinery-on-st-croix/

• About the petroleum coke smoldering accident occurred on Aug 8, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Federal Government just issued an inspection report of the Port Hamilton refinery on St. Croix. As the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety, Senator Angel Bolques said that he was distressed by the EPA’s Inspection Report and called for more communications to deal with the local people’s health issue, including air pollution, even contamination of waterways and soil, and psychosocial stress from living near such a potentially hazardous environment.

Gilbert, Ernice. “Port Hamilton Says it is Moving Ahead With Safe Restart of Oil Refining on. St. Croix, Will Seek Third-Party Inspection Following Scathing EPA Report.” The Virgin Islands Consortium, Oct 27, 2022.https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-port-hamilton-says-it-is-moving-ahead-with-safe-restart-of-oil-refining-on-st-croix-will-seek-third-party-inspection-following-scathing-epa-report

• The PHRT declared that “despite recent reports of concerns about the safety of the facility, the company continues maintaining the facility it purchased in January of this year in preparation for a safe start up.” But The EPA’s inspection and related reports refuted this declaration. Regarding process design and safety of the refinery, the EPA said PHRT could not provide documentation that its process design complied with recognized and generally accepted industry practices.

Silverman, David. “We are powerless again: The story of WAPA.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Oct 31, 2022.http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/opinion/we-are-powerless-again-the-story-of-wapa/article_1ce893cb-628e-5efa-af5f-adbc7864bc03.html

• An article submitted by a resident in St. John who introduced the history of The V.I. and Power Authority (WAPA). Silverman complained the high price residents paid and the frequent power outages. Silverman analyzed that “much of WAPA’s current financial distress stems from the botched conversion of WAPA power generation from fuel oil to natural gas. That conversion, which was triggered by the closure of the HOVENSA refinery, was initiated by WAPA in 2013. The prime contractor – VITOL – secured an unbelievable sweetheart deal with WAPA. VITOL was not only contracted to build the facilities required for conversion to natural gas, but they also secured the right to be the supplier of the natural gas and financed the entire project at a usurious interest rate of 14%. But to make matters worse, what was supposed to be an $87 million contract ended up costing over $200 million due to massive cost overruns.”

Carlson, Suzanne. “EPA identifies safety threats at St. Croix refinery.” The Virgin Islands Daily News, Nov 1, 2022.http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/epa-identifies-safety-threats-at-st-croix-refinery/article_4ba074b5-5b26-5cf8-9867-6b7a31dd4bf2.html

• EPA spokesmen released that the agency “is in active discussions” with representatives of the St. Croix refinery to address issues identified during an inspection released last week. In the report, EPA disclosed the potential risk of the facilities including corrosion on process valves, flanges, pipes, nuts/bolts, and pressure relief devices, and other risks like the exposed electrical wires which could be potential ignition sources. A day after the EPA’s report, Port Hamilton released a statement from Fermin Rodriguez noting the company would assure the facility and public safety.

November 2022

Academic Publications

Edmunds, P. J., and H. R. Lasker. 2022. “Portfolio Effects and Functional Redundancy Contribute to the Maintenance of Octocoral Forests on Caribbean Reefs.” Scientific Reports 12 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-10478-4.

• A study on the decline of scleractinian corals, which has led to a dominance of forests of arborescent octocorals on coral reefs. Study conducted between 2014 and 2019 in the USVI, details findings.

Lasker, Howard R., and Ángela Martínez-Quintana. 2022. “Growing up Is Hard to Do: A Demographic Model of Survival and Growth of Caribbean Octocoral Recruits.” PeerJ 10 (10): e14386. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14386.

• Study of demographic survival among coral reefs in the USVI, based on the size of gorgonian recruits. Gorgonian corals are “soft” corals, they are not solid like other types are.

Voth-Gaeddert, Lee E., Mandy Lemley, Kela Brathwaite, Andrew Schranck, and Stephen Libbey. 2022. “Design and Evaluation of a Household Chlorination System for Treating Cistern Water in the US Virgin Islands.” Journal of Environmental Engineering 148 (11): 1–4. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0002063.

• Upwards of ninety percent of USVI residents utilize rain catchment systems with large cisterns, and which are at risk for contamination. Study tests an inexpensive water treatment system, which produced promising results, but is in need of more research.

Eyestone, Emily. 2022. “Cannibalizing Paradise: Suzanne Césaire’s Ecofeminist Critique of Tourist Literature.” Island Studies Journal 17 (2): 52–73. doi:10.24043/isj.382.

• Eyestone contends that Suzanne Césaire has been continuously left out of writings on the post colonial and gender in the Caribbean. Argues that Césaire’s ecofeminist essays offer an important critique of environmental and gendered exploitation of the Caribbean.

Murrell, Ocqua Gerlyn. 2022. “‘It’s High School. Everybody Gone Judge Yuh’: School as a Social World Where Afro-Caribbean Girlhood Experiences Are Created.” Gender and Education 35 (1): 1–15.https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2022.2144624.

• Murrell interviews nine teenaged Afro-Caribbean girls, to elucidate how they navigate performative aspects and ideas of gender presentation. School is the place where gender identity is negotiated for these girls, and where they understand what it means to be a girl for them.

Pena, Maria, Patrick McConney, Leisa Perch, and Terrence Phillips. 2022. “Capacities and Gaps in Caribbean Fisherfolk Organization Leadership.” Gender, Technology and Development 26 (3): 503–21.https://doi.org/10.1080/09718524.2022.2137560.

• Preliminary study on leadership structures within fisherfolk communities in the Caribbean, of importance here because of how it contributes to the success of sustainability and anti-poverty initiatives. Gender is a key part of investigation.

Rodney, Ruth, Sireesha Bobbili, Gabrielle Hosein, and Emmanuelle Cummings. 2022. “Intersections of Women as Survivors: Disclosures of Violence and Global Research Standards in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.” Social Sciences12 (1): 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12010031.

• Attempts to identify why some women choose to disclose instances of gendered violence committed against them in group settings. This should be studied and accounted for, so when these disclosures are made, the women’s safety can be assured. Decisions to speak out in group settings align with Caribbean feminist practices, according to the authors.

Hintzen, Percy C., Charisse Burden-Stelly, and Aaron Kamugisha, eds. Reproducing Domination: On the Caribbean Postcolonial State. University Press of Mississippi, 2022. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv30vk1cd.

• Thirteen essays by political sociologist of the Caribbean, Percy C Hintzen. Essays cover twenty-five years of writing, tracing patterns of political power, race, ethnicity, and the postcolonial within the English-speaking Caribbean.

Scott, Blake C. Unpacked: A History of Caribbean Tourism. Cornell University Press, 2022. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctv25zcvgn.

• Situates Caribbean tourism within a longer history of US imperialism. Traces how, within the mind of the American public, the Caribbean was transformed into a tourist paradise.

Taylor, Robert Joseph, Antonius D Skipper, James M Ellis, and Linda M Chatters. 2022. “Church-Based Emotional Support and Negative Interactions Among Older African Americans and Black Caribbeans.” Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences 77 (11): 2006–15. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbac041.

• Studies the emotional impacts of church attendance among older African American and Black Caribbean populations. Finds no significant variation between these two populations in church attendance, but does find that African Americans use church for emotional support at greater numbers than Black Caribbeans, as well as some gendered variations in interactions.

Mass Media

Carlson, Suzanne. “EPA identifies safety threats at St. Croix refinery.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. November 1, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/epa-identifies-safety-threats-at-st-croix-refinery/article_4ba074b5-5b26-5cf8-9867-6b7a31dd4bf2.html.

• Describes an EPA report of safety hazards, both chemical and physical, at the St Croix refinery, after a fire had broken out and burned for a week. According to the EPA, the refinery threatens island residents through leaking chemicals and poorly maintained equipment. Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation could not provide adequate documentation on the faulty equipment or chemicals.

Joselow, Maxine. “EPA closed a refinery that rained oil. Now it’s a ‘ticking time bomb.’” The St. Croix Source. November 1, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/11/01/epa-closed-a-refinery-that-rained-oil-now-its-a-ticking-time-bomb/.

• Further describes the EPA report on the conditions of the refinery, which stated that the “conditions demonstrate a risk of imminent release of extremely hazardous substances…because of this degree of corrosion, the vessels, piping, and/or valves may fail, resulting in a catastrophic release.” Local activists wonder about the commitment of the EPA to protect St Croix’s population of mostly black and brown residents.

Cobb, Sian. “EPA: STX Refinery Needs New Permit, Millions in Equipment for Restart.” The St. Croix Source.November 17, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/11/17/epa-stx-refinery-needs-new-permit-millions-in-equipment-for-restart/.

• In order to restart activities at the oil refinery, Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation, the EPA announced it was requiring a new permitting process- which could take up to three years to complete. This permit is called a Prevention of Significant Deterioration permit, and is related to air pollution control. Many were pleased with this action, though some activists believe that this new requirement does not go far enough or should have come sooner.

Carlson, Suzanne. “EPA orders St. Croix refinery to undergo permit review.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. November 17, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/epa-orders-st-croix-refinery-to-undergo-permit-review/article_994d6e57-06db-5cf1-971e-5896101b7733.html.

• Details both the EPA’s new permit regulations, as well as the complicated and murky ownership structure of the refinery, which remains opaque to even the EPA. New air pollution mitigation efforts could take 2-3 years and cost around 200 million dollars, before the refinery would be in condition to and permitted to reopen.

Carlson, Suzanne. “WAPA’s debt of $145 Million to supplier could spell rolling blackouts within weeks.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. November 17, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/wapas-debt-of-145-million-to-supplier-could-spell-rolling-blackouts-within-weeks/article_daf868c1-a58f-57a2-92ae-42c4b4b0a854.html.

• The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority owed 145 million dollars to its propane supplier, which as of the publication of this article, had cut deliveries. Because of this, rolling blackouts were predicted within two weeks. For some customers, outages had already been occurring. Article details the financial strain the WAPA had been operating under.

Staff Consortium. “Restart Hurdles For Refinery on St. Croix Pile Up as EPA Announces New Clean Air Act Permit Requirement.” The Virgin Islands Consortium. November 17, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-restart-hurdles-for-refinery-on-st-croix-pile-up-as-epa-announces-new-clean-air-act-permit-requirement.

• Detailed description of the EPA’s action of requiring a Prevention of Significant Deterioration permit under the auspices of the Clean Air Act. Describes the type of air filtration and pollution prevention that would be required for the shuttered refinery to operate again, as well as background information on the controversy.

Carlson, Suzanne. “Bryan administration in discussions with refinery owners.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. November 22, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/bryan-administration-in-discussions-with-refinery-owners/article_1bf49e02-97f5-5a95-9f6b-177571051d0e.html.

• After the new EPA report, Governor Albert Bryan Jr engaged in talks with the refinery’s owners. Article does not state the nature of these talks, as Bryan had yet to publicly comment on the EPA report. However, his communications director stated “the refinery is not in operation at this current point…the EPA has made its assessment and we are working with Port Hamilton to ensure that they do the things that are necessary to ensure the safety of the community.”

Carlson, Suzanne. “Gov’t touts possible rescue plan for WAPA, but light on details.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. November 22, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/govt-touts-possible-rescue-plan-for-wapa-but-light-on-details/article_e93e7faf-eafc-5cd4-86dc-ffa6f579993a.html.

• Information on the financial discussions happening at multiple levels in order to prevent rolling blackouts because of propane shipments being shut off to the WAPA. At the time of publication, taxpayers were paying four million dollars weekly to subsidize WAPA.

Daily News Staff. “Bryan in D.C. for talks on WAPA, restarting St. Croix refinery.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. November 28, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/bryan-in-d-c-for-talks-on-wapa-restarting-st-croix-refinery/article_0f3e5101-2c08-532f-8137-4efe1ebd27c3.html.

• Governor Bryan traveled to Washington DC to discuss a number of issues with the Biden administration and Congress, including the state of the oil refinery and the WAPA financial crisis.

Staff Consortium. “Bryan Heads to Washington With WAPA, Rum Cover-Over Taxes, Refinery and More on His Agenda.” The Virgin Islands Consortium. November 28, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-government/virgin-islands-bryan-heads-to-washington-with-wapa-rum-cover-over-taxes-refinery-and-more-on-his-agenda.

• Further details on the discussions planned between Governor Bryan and DC on a number of matters, including the oil refinery and WAPA.

 

December 2022

Academic Publications

Browne, A. Springer, David Rickless, Carter Reed Hranac, Andrew Beron, Breanna Hillman, Leah de Wilde, Harris Short, et al. 2022. “Spatial, Sociodemographic, and Weather Analysis of the Zika Virus Outbreak: U.S. Virgin Islands, January 2016–January 2018.” Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases 22 (12): 600–605. doi:10.1089/vbz.2021.0098.

• Certain socio-demographic risk factors contributed to a higher prevalence of Zika among those populations during the outbreak that began in 2016. Those at a lower risk for contracting the disease tended to have higher employment, be connected to a public water system, and have newer houses. Temperature increases also coincided with increases in case counts.

Clare-Pascoe, Nordia, Kurlene Cenac, S F Stephenson, R.O.H Irvine, Romel Daniel, John Janevski, Ayana Nanthakumar, Krishnakumar Nair, Herbert Ho, and Kumaraswamy Nanthakumar. 2022. “Quantifying the Impact of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Electrophysiology: Training the First Female Electrophysiologists from Jamaica and Saint Lucia.” Heart Rhythm O2 3 (6): 827–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hroo.2022.09.015.

• Examines the results of DEI training on the islands of Jamaica and St Lucia, specifically in regard to training more female electrophysiologists. There is a lack of facilities and training regarding the field in the West Indies, this study points to how training women helps close the gaps, but much more research and training needs to take place.

Curren, Emily J, Esther M Ellis, Morgan Hennessey, Mark J Delorey, Marc Fischer, and J. Erin Staples. 2023. “Acceptability of a Chikungunya Virus Vaccine, United States Virgin Islands.” American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 108 (2): 363–65. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.22-0429.

• Chikungunya virus is a mosquito borne virus, of which several vaccinations are in the late stages of development. This study sought to gauge receptiveness to a potential vaccine in the USVI, and found many were afraid of the safety of a new vaccine. Authors propose education campaigns to address this fear.

Davis, Jael, Caryl James Bateman, Venecia Pearce-Dunbar, Marvin Powell, and Abigail Harrison. 2022. “Exploring the Impact of BMI on Body Dissatisfaction and Eating Behaviors among Caribbean University Women.” Psychology, Health & Medicine 27 (10): 2096–2104. doi:10.1080/13548506.2021.1990365.

• Study finds that ethnic background and BMI have a regular impact on body image and disordered eating amongst college-going Caribbean women. Afro-Caribbean women report higher body image than Indo-Caribbean women. As BMI increases, so too does dissatisfaction and instances of disordered eating.

Freeman, Tyrone McKinley, and Kim Williams-Pulfer. 2022. “Liberating the Archive, Emancipating Philanthropy: Philanthropic Archival Layering as a Critical Historical Approach for Researching Voluntary Action in Marginalized Communities.” Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary & Nonprofit Organizations 33 (6): 1114–21. doi:10.1007/s11266-021-00402-1.

• Because of their absence from the archive, the philanthropic behavior of marginalized populations is often missing from the historical record. Authors propose something called “philanthropic archival layering” to correct this. Relevant because one proposed case involves Afro-Caribbean women in the twentieth century.

Jeffers, Noelene K., Deborah Wilson, Hannah Tappis, Desiree Bertrand, Tener Veenema, and Nancy Glass. 2022. “Experiences of Pregnant Women Exposed to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the US Virgin Islands: A Qualitative Study.” BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth 22 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1186/s12884-022-05232-7.

• Before this article, authors could identify no studies of the effects of hurricanes on pregnant women in the USVI. Understanding the experiences of pregnant people during hurricanes is important in order to build better response and resiliency plans, and to protect vulnerable populations. Article analyzes the experiences of 18 women who were pregnant during hurricane landfall.

Katz, Charles M., Hyunjung Cheon, Kayla Freemon, and Lidia E. Nuño. 2022. “Delinquency, Drug Use, and Gang Membership in the English-Speaking Caribbean.” Children and Youth Services Review 144 (December): 106758.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106758.

• Examines the frequency of delinquency and violence amongst youth populations across the English-speaking Caribbean. Results vary greatly across location, but generally finds that “youth engage in a disproportionate amount of violence when compared to other offense types… youth appear to engage in substantially higher rates of violence than youth in other regions.”

Moana Gelu-Simeon, Matthieu Schnee, Marie-Josée Lafrance, Pauline Plazy-Chabrand, Anne-Sophie Schneck, G Saint-Georges, Marceline Alexis, et al. 2022. “The Characteristics of Diverticular Disease in Caribbean Population: A Control Group Study.” Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2022 (December): 1–9.https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8360837.

• Studies the differences in diverticulosis between Afro-Caribbean and European populations, here between Guadeloupe and La Roche-sur-Yon (France). Despite similar prevalence rates, diverticulosis symptoms reported and care needed were more severe in the Afro-Caribbean population.

Segovia-Hernández, Juan Gabriel, Salvador Hernández, Enrique Cossío-Vargas, and Eduardo Sánchez-Ramírez. 2022. “Tackling Sustainability Challenges in Latin America and Caribbean from the Chemical Engineering Perspective: A Literature Review in the Last 25 Years.” Chemical Engineering Research & Design: Transactions of the Institution of Chemical Engineers Part A 188 (December): 483–527. doi:10.1016/j.cherd.2022.10.012.

• Literature review of the current state of chemical industry across Latin America, in regards to availability of minerals, petroleum, and their derivatives. In addition, the article covers the challenges to sustainability and economic potential of these industries.

Torres-Roman, J. Smith, Luz Ronceros-Cardenas, Bryan Valcarcel, Janina Bazalar-Palacios, Jorge Ybaseta-Medina, Greta Carioli, Carlo La Vecchia, and Christian S. Alvarez. 2022. “Cervical Cancer Mortality among Young Women in Latin America and the Caribbean: Trend Analysis from 1997 to 2030.” BMC Public Health 22 (1): 1–10. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12413-0.

• Looks at the data of rates of cervical cancer across Latin America to determine what rates will look like in the future. Study find large variability in mortality rates across the countries, though mortality rates are decreasing overall.

Mass Media

Associated Press. “US orders chemicals removed at Virgin Islands oil refinery.” AP News. December 5, 2022. https://apnews.com/article/business-caribbean-puerto-rico-us-virgin-islands-efdc5316982baaaa973c8f2fafab983c.

• Details a new EPA order, instructing the owners of the oil refinery to remove tens of thousands of pounds of hazardous chemicals from the site, citing the faulty and aged equipment on location. The chemicals include anhydrous ammonia, liquefied petroleum gas, and hydrogen sulfide.

Probasco, Mat. “EPA Orders Refinery Cleanup.” The St. Croix Source. December 5, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/12/05/epa-orders-refinery-cleanup/.

• Further details the EPA’s order to Port Hamilton to remove the dangerous chemicals, including the necessity of hiring a “qualified contractor” to assess the procedure and timeline of the removal. The EPA will continue to oversee the project, and requires the submitting of regular reports. Ownership comments that they are complying.

EPA Orders St. Croix Refinery Owner to Remove Dangerous Chemicals Left in Pipes Causing Advanced Corrosion and Disrepair.” The Virgin Islands Consortium. December 5, 2022. https://viconsortium.com/vi-environment/virgin-islands-epa-orders-st-croix-refinery-owner-to-remove-dangerous-chemicals-left-in-pipes-causing-advanced-corrosion-and-disrepair.

• Once the qualified contractor is selected, they have thirty days to propose a a cleanup/storage solution, which must be approved by the EPA. Further procedural details on the required oversight by the EPA on the facility and the chemical removal project.

Source Staff. “Plaskett, Bryan Support EPA Order for Refinery Cleanup.” The St. Croix Source. December 5, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/12/05/plaskett-bryan-support-epa-order-for-refinery-cleanup/.

• Details the support of government officials, including Delegate Stacey Plaskett and Governor Albert Bryan Jr. of the consent agreement. Charles Chambers, the owner of Port Hamilton, also offers his support for the EPA’s new requirements.

Carlson, Suzanne. “EPA orders refinery to remove hazardous substances.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. December 6, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/epa-orders-refinery-to-remove-hazardous-substances/article_4d42e662-1584-574c-9969-17f21074896f.html.

• Quotes the EPA at length in relation to the new disposal regulations. From  Lisa F. Garcia, EPA regional administrator, “ensuring the communities near this refinery are protected is front and center in all our work. This consent order will ensure the removal of the ammonia, liquified petroleum gas and other chemicals…We are holding this facility to the same standards that we hold any refinery or industrial facility — meaning they must not pose a serious risk to workers or community members, and they must follow our environmental laws. EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment, and our commitment to advance environmental justice in this community is unwavering.”

Gilbert, Ernice. “Refinery Owners Say Agreement Has Been Reached With EPA for Removal of Dangerous Chemicals Left Rusting in Pipes; Plaskett Reiterates Need for New Industry on South Shore.” The VIrgin Islands Consortium. December 6, 2023. https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-port-hamilton-says-it-is-working-with-epa-to-address-order-plaskett-reiterates-need-for-new-industry-on-south-shore-bryan-welcomes-progress-.

• Port Hamilton announces that it agrees to and welcomes the terms of the consent order, stating, “we quickly initiated action once the EPA informed us of their concerns about chemical substances. We had already retained certified third-party experts to complete an inspection as part of our corporate due diligence to restart the refinery and immediately engaged them to help us address the mechanical integrity concerns of EPA. We have since implemented measures to enhance the safety of our operations as we complete the work requested by the EPA.”

Carlson, Suzanne. “OSHA: Refinery has serious safety concerns.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. December 12, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/osha-refinery-has-serious-safety-concerns/article_b61ffa71-d1fc-5791-8be3-fa22abe0c17b.html.

• Though the refinery remains closed, a small crew continues to work at them. On December 8th, OSHA sent a letter to the owners stating that the employees were working under hazardous conditions, due to lack of procedures for emergency events. This news came after an OSHA inspection found unsafe conditions for employees.

Probasco, Mat. “Dangerous Working Conditions At Refinery, Feds Say.” The St. Croix Source. December 12, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/12/12/dangerous-working-conditions-at-refinery-feds-say/.

• Beyond the lack of preparedness for an emergency event, OSHA inspectors also state that the “ongoing litigation” surrounding the refinery may create further difficulties in the event of an emergency- potentially worsening conditions for employees.

Carlson, Suzanne. “EDC considers, vote on tax benefit applications.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. December 14, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/edc-considers-vote-on-tax-benefit-applications/article_a6a39bcd-ad28-5021-a652-8260c7411799.html.

• Details the discussions of a meeting of the Economic Development Commission to discuss proposed tax exemptions and benefits. Relevant to the oil refinery, because of presence of members of Tysam Tech, LLC, an environmental engineering firm, who was working with Port Hamilton on adhering to the new EPA regulations.

Buchanan, Don. “STX Residents Concerned About Dangerous Chemicals at Refinery.” The St. Croix Source. December 15, 2022. https://stcroixsource.com/2022/12/15/residents-concerned-about-dangerous-chemicals-at-refinery/.

• Details the proceedings of a virtual town hall meeting held via Zoom, where residents expressed their concerns to the EPA regarding the state of the oil refinery. 90 residents attended the meeting, and most of their questions related to the health risks proposed by proximity to the facility, particularly in light of the new findings regarding dangerous chemicals. The theme of the meeting was “Ensuring A Safe St. Croix: Status of the Oil Refinery and Next Steps.”

“A call for more diversification in the Virgin Islands.” The Virgin Islands Daily News. December 19, 2022. https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/opinion/a-call-for-more-diversification-in-the-virgin-islands/article_f8a0fccb-5cab-5d96-8e6d-baf0ec0d0130.html.

• Letter to the editor, calling for an end to reliance on oil as an economic driver for the Virgin Islands. Specifically, “oil has ran its course. No more pipe dreams. It is without reservation that I call for the redevelopment of St. Croix’s South Shore based on its unique location, into a transformational manufacturing, transshipment, or renewable energy hub.”

Akin, Bernetia. “Has Refinery Slid from Asset to Liability Column?.”The St. Croix Source. December 30, 2022.  https://stcroixsource.com/2022/12/30/has-refinery-slid-from-asset-to-liability-column/.

• Details the economic and environmental turmoil wrought by the oil refinery, and its uncertain future.