The Latest: Navy says it won’t rush to judgment on Red Hill

HONOLULU – The Latest on environmental regulators expressing concerns about the Navy’s Red Hill analysis (all times local):

6 p.m.

The Navy says it’s committed to continuing a thorough study of the underground water at Red Hill where it keeps 20 giant fuel tanks.

Navy Region Hawaii commander Rear Adm. Brian Fort said in a statement Monday the Navy won’t rush to judgment and will continue to keep Honolulu’s drinking water safe no matter what.

Fort issued his statement after news that environmental regulators are concerned a Navy analysis may underestimate the potential that leaks from the fuel tanks may contaminate Honolulu’s groundwater.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Health expressed their concerns in a letter to the Navy last month.

More than 27,000 gallons leaked from one Red Hill tank in 2014.

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4:45 p.m.

Environmental regulators are concerned that a Navy analysis may underestimate the potential that leaks from giant fuel tanks near Pearl Harbor may contaminate Honolulu’s groundwater.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Health expressed their concerns in a letter to the Navy last month.

They included another letter from a consultant saying the Navy’s evaluation “seems to be skewed,” toward concluding that millions of gallons of jet fuel could be released without damaging the groundwater.

The consultant says the Navy doesn’t seem to be taking risks into account to the same degree.

More than 27,000 gallons leaked from one Red Hill tank in 2014.

The Navy didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.