Red Hill Update
The Navy is pleased to update the public on the latest improvements to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Because of restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19, we are providing an audio update to the community during the second quarter of 2020.
This audio cast is divided into four segments and provides updates on the progress being made at the Red Hill Fuel Facility to ensure our environment is protected and the drinking water remains safe. In addition, the Red Hill Fuel Facility remains ready to carry out its critical mission and support Hawaii in times of need.
Since 2015, the Navy and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) have worked collaboratively with federal and state regulatory agencies – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii Department of Health – under an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) in a formalized process to continue to improve the facility and its operations. Even before the AOC was signed, the Navy and DLA had routinely maintained and upgraded the facility, improving and modernizing various components.
Click on each link below to access the audio file:
• Overall Update - Capt. Marc Delao, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii and regional engineer for Navy Region Hawaii, discusses the overall update on the Red Hill Fuel Facility.
• Operational Improvements - Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Bencs, fuel director for Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor, discusses updates on operational improvements.
• Infrastructure Enhancement - Cmdr. Darrel Frame, Red Hill program office director of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, discusses updates on infrastructure enhancement.
• Partnership with University of Hawaii- Cmdr. Darrel Frame introduces University of Hawaii's Dr. Margo Edwards, director of the Applied Research Laboratory and Dr. Brennon Morioka, dean of the College of Engineering, to discuss the partnership between the U.S. Navy and University of Hawaii.
If you would like to provide comments on these presentations, email us at:
Redhillprogramof.fct@navy.mil Comments are being accepted until July 15, 2020 and a general response will be posted in August.
Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
When Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, enemy planes failed to destroy vital American fuel reserves, a failure that would have consequences in the early months of World War II. The U.S. Navy was aware of the vulnerability of above-the-ground fuel tanks, so construction was already underway for a one-of-a-kind fuel facility deep within the basalt rock of nearby Red Hill. Today, the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility can operate without external power, is physically protected and cyber-hardened and is critical infrastructure for the nation's defense. The 20 tanks within Red Hill, are steel-lined concrete up to four feet thick, including a layer of gunite, and can store millions of gallons of jet or marine fuel used by the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Hawaii National Guard. In January 2014, Tank 5 experienced a release of 27,000 gallons of fuel due to a contractor's error and an ineffective response and oversight. After that one-time extreme release, the Navy and Defense Logistics Agency intensified modernization of the facility and monitoring of groundwater and drinking water. The Navy continues to work with Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii Department of Health regulators under an Administrative Order on Consent to improve the facility and protect the environment. Since 2006, DOD has invested $260 million in Red Hill, and modernization continues in oversight, technology, operating procedures and the means to protect our shared drinking water. Public records confirm that all drinking water near Red Hill remains safe, and we are committed to keeping it safe. Red Hill continues to be a national strategic asset that provides power for sea control, maritime security, regional stability, humanitarian assistance and continued prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.