Ocean Point Terminals Must Continue Water Program, Appeals Court Rules

Third Circuit Court of Appeals upholds District Court's decision requiring Ocean Point to fund water distribution program after oil flaring incidents, citing joint responsibility and public health concerns

On Monday, an appellate court ruled that the V.I. District Court acted correctly in ordering that Ocean Point Terminals, formerly known as Limetree Bay Terminals, continue a water distribution program established after flaring incidents at St. Croix’s south shore refinery sent fine mists of oil droplets over fenceline communities in 2021.

In January 2023, plaintiffs on St. Croix asked the court to order Ocean Point to continue the program established under a mediation and bankruptcy plan with the former Limetree Bay Refinery, which was subsequently acquired by Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation. The court determined that the request was justified, particularly for those who couldn't procure clean water without sacrificing other basic essentials.