Case Statement On Defense Department's Decision To Close Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility

Statement

U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) issued the following statement on the Secretary of Defense's directive to defuel and close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility:

"Secretary of Defense Austin's directive today that the Navy proceed to defuel and close Red Hill is exactly the right decision for assuring both safe drinking water and national security."

"It is painfully clear that protecting the natural resource of our aquifer cannot be assured through the continuation of Red Hill. It is also clear that other fuel storage distribution strategies will fulfill our real national security needs in this difficult century for the Indo-Pacific.

"As the Secretary said, this will be a multi-step process. But I am convinced of the Defense Department's good-faith commitment to work through it as quickly and safely as possible.

"My own efforts in Congress will continue to be focused on working with all concerned to achieve these goals and, through my House Appropriations Committee and otherwise, to secure the necessary major funding required for both defueling and closing Red Hill and providing for our continued national security through other means of bulk fuel storage."

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