St. John, USVI – April 3, 2026 – Island Green President Harith Wickrema and Vice President/Interim CEO Dawn Henry will provide testimony at the EPA’s Public Hearing on Monday, April 6 regarding their proposal to remove Title V protections and eliminate regulated monitoring/testing of Air Curtain Incinerator (ACI) emissions. The EPA’s justification is that it is limited to ACIs that solely burn “wood waste, yard waste, and clean lumber,” despite the fact that emissions when burning these materials include dangerous gases, chemicals and particulate matter that lodges in the lungs. This causes respiratory issues, worsening asthma in children and adults, increasing the severity of COPD and heart disease. If there is no testing of emissions, there will also be no way of knowing if even more hazardous material is being burned.

This could be devastating for the territory if Bill 36-0232 passes and reverses Act 1808, the “Ban the Burn” law, which currently bans ACIs here.

“In addition to advocating for clean air and human health in the territory, Island Green is participating on a national platform to protect people and the environment,” Wickrema said. “Island Green works beyond our island borders, which has also helped when we needed support from others.”

Wickrema and Henry will participate during Session 3, from 3:30 to 5 pm, but the hearing begins at 9 am. Judith Enck, former EPA Region 2 Administrator, will testify during the session from 11 am – 1 pm. People can listen in at: https://www.youtube.com/live/agm3bMjz3k4

Established in 2004, Island Green Living Association is a registered 501 (c)(3) not for profit
organization on St. John dedicated to sustainability throughout the USVI.
www.islandgreenliving.org.