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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it will station a community involvement coordinator for the U.S. Virgin Islands [pictured] on St. Croix.

In mid-March, Geoffrey M. Garrison will begin his tenure in the Virgin Islands and will oversee activities at the recently shut down Hovensa refining facility and respond to pollution releases.

"In light of ongoing pollution problems related to various St. Croix facilities and the recent shutdown of the Hovensa oil refinery, the EPA determined that it would be beneficial to assign someone with technical skills to the position on St. Croix. Along with his technical training, skills and experience, Geoff brings to this new position a strong understanding of community involvement, having planned and participated in outreach to impacted communities throughout the Caribbean," the EPA said.

Hovensa LLC completed the shutdown of its 350,000 barrel-per-day bunker-producing refinery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands on Tuesday, 21st February. Following the shutdown, the complex will operate as an oil storage terminal.

Hovensa is a joint venture between Hess Corp and Venezuelan state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA). The company has also been operating as a supplier of marine fuels at Christiansted, Frederiksted and Port Alucroix.

Losses at the Hovensa refinery have totalled $1.3 billion in the past three years alone and were projected to continue. Commenting on the refinery's financial situation last month, Hovensa said: "These losses have been caused primarily by weakness in demand for refined petroleum products due to the global economic slowdown and the addition of new refining capacity in emerging markets. In the past three years, these factors have caused the closure of approximately 18 refineries in the United States and Europe with capacity totalling more than 2 million barrels of oil per day. In addition, the low price of natural gas in the United States has put Hovensa, an oil-fuelled refinery, at a competitive disadvantage."