Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, chair of the Senate Committee on Health issued a statement today applauding Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin’s decision today to direct the Department of Navy to defuel and shut down the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility.
“I applaud Defense Secretary Austin’s decision to defuel and permanently shut down Red Hill. Now we can begin the difficult work with the Navy of addressing impacts to our communities and water resources without worrying about future spills from Red Hill.
For months, elected officials at every level of government have called upon the federal government to close the facility and I am pleased that our voices were finally heard today by the Pentagon.
This is an important step toward repairing the relationship between the Navy and the community."