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USVI’s Compliance Monitoring and Reporting Efforts Under Scrutiny

The Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the Department of Planning & Natural Resources (DPNR) has been working diligently to ensure compliance with air pollution regulations in the US Virgin Islands.

Air Pollution Control Program (APC)

As part of its APC program, the DEP is responsible for monitoring and reporting on air quality in the Territory. This includes:

  • Collecting weekly particulate matter samples from five monitoring stations
  • Conducting sulphur dioxide monitoring at the local refinery, HOVENSA, LLC
  • Conducting annual reviews of its Air Quality Surveillance System with plans available for public review

The latest reports detail the US Virgin Islands Air Monitoring Annual Network Plan 2023 and 2022.

Compliance Monitoring

In addition to air quality monitoring, the DEP’s APC program is responsible for compliance monitoring at regulated facilities. This includes:

  • Conducting regular inspections
  • Relying on citizen complaints to identify sources that are not in compliance with local and federal laws

Before any regulated entity can operate an air pollution emission source, it must first obtain a “Authority to Construct Permit” and a “Permit to Operate” from the DEP’s APC program.

Enforcement Mechanism

The DEP has implemented a comprehensive enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance, including:

  • Notices of violation
  • Cease-and-desist orders
  • Notices of deficiencies and non-compliance
  • Administrative orders in cases where sources are found to be out of compliance

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Networks

To maintain the integrity of its ambient air quality monitoring networks, the APC program participates in various self-monitoring activities, including:

  • Quarterly audits by the DEP Quality Assurance Program Coordinator
  • Equipment flow checks
  • Quarterly audits by the EPA of the DEP’s state and local air monitoring stations (SLAMS) network to evaluate the performance of monitoring equipment and the DEP’s proficiency in implementing its quality assurance project plan

For more information on the DEP’s compliance monitoring and reporting efforts, contact:

Andrew Jackson, Environmental Engineer Phone: (340) 773-1082 ext. 2238 Email: andrew.jackson@dpnr.vi.gov