EPA Amends BP Whiting CAA Violation Notice

Oct 2: U.S. EPA Region 5 has issued an amended notice and finding of violation to the BP Products North America for alleged Clean Air Act (CAA) violations at the company's petroleum refinery at 2815 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, IN. The action amends a notice and finding of violation issued to the BP Whiting refinery in November 2007 alleging BP violated the Clean Air Act by failing to get a permit when it modified one of its cracking units in 2005 [See WIMS 11/30/07].

EPA said it now has information suggesting that BP may have begun a project to process Canadian crude oil at the refinery in 2005 without the proper permit. BP received its construction permit for the project from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on May 1, 2008 [See WIMS 6/2/08]. EPA notes that these are preliminary findings of violation. BP has 30 days to request a meeting with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations.

On July 9, 2008, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a federal challenge to air permits given by the State of Indiana to the BP Whiting refinery. The case argues that BP and IDEM have not properly accounted for increases in dangerous pollution that will result from the refinery expansion [See WIMS 7/14/08]. NRDC is challenging the facility’s construction permits in the Hammond Division of the Northern District of Indiana Federal court.

Access a release from EPA (click here). Access information from IDEM on the Air Permits (click here).