Indiana: BP can dump more pollution into Lake Michigan

[NNN0LHI]

http://michiganmessenger.com/39382/indiana-bp-can-dump-more-pollution-into-lake-michigan

By Ed Brayton 7/6/10 10:58 AM After causing the greatest environmental disaster in the history of the country, one would think that governmental leaders would be less likely than ever to allow BP to flout environmental laws. One would be wrong.

Our friendly neighbors to the south have granted BP an exemption from state environmental laws to allow the company to dump more toxic waste from its refinery in the northern part of Indiana into Lake Michigan. The Chicago Tribune reports:

The massive BP oil refinery in Whiting, Ind., is planning to dump significantly more ammonia and industrial sludge into Lake Michigan, running counter to years of efforts to clean up the Great Lakes.

Indiana regulators exempted BP from state environmental laws to clear the way for a $3.8 billion expansion that will allow the company to refine heavier Canadian crude oil. They justified the move in part by noting the project will create 80 new jobs.

Under BP’s new state water permit, the refinery — already one of the largest polluters along the Great Lakes — can release 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan each day. Ammonia promotes algae blooms that can kill fish, while sludge is full of concentrated heavy metals.


I know every time I’ve been to the beach at Warren Dunes I couldn’t help but think that the water would be so much better if it just had 35 percent more industrial sludge and more dead fish washing up on shore. Thanks, Indiana!

[nebenaube]

1. I am absolutely disgusted with this shit! n/t

[Peregrine Took]

2. Indiana and their esteemed governor suck big big big time! n/t

[Indianademocrat91]

3. This is what happens when..

we have a Bush cronnie in as Governor. Lax regulation and a full Republican controlled administration.

[lunasun]

4. Illinois fought this once before ....BigPig never gives up

great lakes one of the largest lake areas ....good grief

[frazzled]

5. The article they're quoting from is from 2007

And the Bush EPA agreed with Indiana's Governor Daniels and allowed the dumping. But this is not new. Original article from which quote comes is from Chicago Tribune, July 15, 2007

http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/chi-pollute_15jul15,0,823234.story

This is not new dumping: they've been doing it, I think, for 3 years now. I stopped buying BP gas July 15, 2007, when I read this story.

[lunasun]

6. But wasnt this the final resolve in'07 ? or did they start the dump I thought not...

Thursday, August 23, 2007

- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) today made the following statement in response to the announcement by BP America that they have reversed their decision to dump more ammonia and solids into Lake Michigan at their Indiana Whiting Refinery:

“This is the news we have been waiting for – a watershed moment for Lake Michigan. Today, BP America announced that they will not increase dumping in our lake. They realized a good business decision is a good environmental decision.

“The people of Chicago and every person who spoke out against the dumping had their voices heard. We sent a message to BP that the pollution of one of our national treasures will not be tolerated. Together, we put pressure on a company to do what is right and they responded.

“This summer, we brought BP to the table and asked them to stop plans to dump more pollution into the Lake. We made it clear that if they didn’t work to preserve and protect Lake Michigan, they were in for a battle. This morning, we spoke with Bob Malone, Chairman and President of BP America, and he assured us that BP is going to explore what we have urged all along – how to expand economic opportunity while protecting the environment and we applaud BP for doing that.

“Today’s decision should be commended and should serve as an example of how the efforts of ordinary citizens can make a difference.”