Category: 
July 24, 2007
Recently the Chicago Tribunepublished an article stating that the BP oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana is planning to dump more ammonia and other toxic wastes into Lake Michigan. The Chicago Tribune complains that the state and federal officials are making exemptions to allow BP to further pollute the great lakes, however the officials believe that BP is not exhibiting any action that will harm the environment.
The News-Sentinel gives a more neutral view of the BP situation. They state that while Canadian Crude Oil requires more processing, obtaining oil from Canada will provide more jobs and is a better alternative than obtaining oil from the Middle East. The article also informs us that BP will still remain within federal pollution guidelines and that BP is implementing a “new diffuser apparatus that will reduce the concentration of pollutants in the water by mixing them with clean water 200 feet from the shore”.
BP is known for actively promoting itself as an environmentally friendly company. They are holding to that image by releasing their BP Whiting Refinery Fact Sheet to the public. A few of these facts include:
Modern Technology- BP operates a modern wastewater plant in Whiting and plans to invest about $150 million to enhance its treatment capability.
Collaborative, transparent approach - BP is working with federal, state and local officials, regulators, community and environmental organizations and communities to develop environmentally friendly plans.
Only treated water into Lake Michigan - BP states that what is released from their refinery is more than 99.9 % treated water, not sludge. The sludge is treated separately according to state and federal requirements and never put into Lake Michigan.
BP encourages the public to be educated about the facts and then form their own opinions about the issue.
1 person has left a comment
I think we need to go back to driving cars like The Flintsones.
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