[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E553-E554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF THE RED HILL HEALTH IMPACT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2023

  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Red Hill Health 
Impact Act, a crucial piece of legislation to address the health 
implications of the recent fuel spill at our military's Red Hill 
Underground Fuel Facility above Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  My bill, which I jointly introduce with my Hawaii colleagues, 
Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, 
aims to protect the health of individuals affected by that inexcusable 
incident, particularly those who lived or worked in a residence or 
other building served by the water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-
Hickam (JBPHH).
  Red Hill is unlike any other bulk fuel storage facility in the world. 
Built during World War II, its twenty underground tanks have the 
capacity to store up to 250 million gallons of fuel. But it is 
constructed and was operated at a location immediately above the main 
aquifer for the City and County of Honolulu that provides water to 
hundreds of thousands of Hawaii residents, servicemembers and visitors.
  Although the community has raised concerns about these tanks for many 
years, in 2021 an estimated 20,000 gallons of fuel leaked from one of 
the tanks into the aquifer. The contaminated water was then withdrawn 
from the aquifer and fed into the JBPHH and distributed to thousands of 
mostly-but-not-exclusively military homes, offices and businesses. Many 
became ill as a direct result, and many more fear for longer term 
health impacts not immediately apparent.
  Though the Secretary of Defense has since ordered the defueling and 
decommissioning of Red Hill, a process now underway, the Red Hill 
incident has had a profound impact on the lives not only of the 
directly affected individuals and families, but the Hawaii community at 
large. The contamination of Oahu's main water aquifer has raised 
persistent concerns about the potential long-term health implications 
to exposed individuals.
  Our Red Hill Health Impact Act takes essential steps to address these 
concerns and ensure that impacted individuals receive the support and 
services they need over time. One of its primary provisions is 
establishing a registry where concerned individuals can sign up to 
facilitate outreach and collect comprehensive data on the health 
implications of exposure to petroleum-contaminated water. This registry 
will provide invaluable information and allow us to identify additional 
research needs to better understand the effects of such contamination 
on our health.
  The bill further calls for an epidemiological study that will assess 
potential health implications for impacted individuals over at least 
twenty years. This study will provide us with critical insights into 
the long-term health effects of exposure to petroleum-contaminated 
water and enable us to develop targeted interventions and support 
systems to mitigate any adverse health outcomes for those affected.
  To ensure transparency and accountability, the Red Hill Health Impact 
Act requires annual reports on the study and its findings to be 
provided to the appropriate Congressional committees, enrolled members 
and the public. Open communication and access to information are 
paramount in addressing the concerns and needs of the impacted 
individuals and the broader community.
  It is our duty to ensure that those affected by this incident are not 
left to face their health concerns alone after the immediate crisis 
passes and Red Hill closes. I therefore urge my colleagues to support 
the Red Hill Health Impact Act, thus prioritizing the well-being of the 
impacted individuals and recognizing the lasting impact the Red Hill 
incident has had and may have on their lives.

[[Page E554]]

  Mahalo.

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