Navy now faces an ‘ambitious timeline’ to drain Red Hill fuel storage tanks

The Navy says it will comply with the state emergency order to drain its Red Hill underground fuel storage tanks, adding it is already making a plan to do so.

The announcement is an about-face for the service, which had been challenging the order.

The news came ahead of a discussion on the tainted water crisis Tuesday before the U.S. House Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Readiness.

“Yes, we are complying with the emergency order and we have already taking steps along every one of the lines directed,” Navy Rear Adm. Blake Converse told lawmakers at the hearing.