PPP: BP factory in Whiting, Indiana

BP as the world's current and historical energy trends is always committed to minimizing the environmental impact of their actions. BP oil refinery produces 410,000 barrels per calendar day stand as the top five U.S refineries operable capacity was reported for going to dump significantly more ammonia and industrial sludge into Lake Michigan, running counter to years of efforts to clean up the Great Lakes.

Recently, the Chicago Tribune ran an article about a BP Factory in Whiting, Indiana and misrepresented some important facts. According to Chicago Tribune article, the massive BP oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana, is planning to dump significantly more ammonia and industrial sludge into Lake Michigan. They claim that 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.

What's BP's explanation to the misrepresented points post up by Chicago Tribune? To understand more about BP's Whiting Refinery facts, you can read the article here. From the document, we know that what is released from BP's refinery is treated water that is more than 99.9% water - not sludge. All sludge is treated separately, according to state and federal requirements, and never discharged into Lake Michigan. Besides that, a new water discharge permit allows the refinery's average ammonia discharge to increase, but at levels that will still be less than half of those that federal environmental guidelines could allow. Most impotantly is all treated water released has no harm to people or the environment. For the benefit of the environment, the Whiting Refinery voluntarily reduced total suspended solids in its water discharge by 40% in just the past four years.

From the economy points of view, to reduce reliance on sources in Middle East, BP at the same time focuses her investment in Canadian crude oil in order to sustain her business for longer time. BP definitely would not ruin her businesses. Therefore, they have aggressively markets itself as an environmentally friendly corporation by extracting petroleum from the thick goop is a dirtier process than conventional methods. It also requires more energy that could significantly increase greenhouse gases linked to global warming. I will think as such move has given quite good credits to BP.

To me, both parties should have corporation in handling as such environmental issues in order to ensure safety of any natures (aquatic life as well as human beings) are given first priority. Without granting any approval, BP would not act beyond the legal limits.