HR0548 LRB096 13324 GRL 28006 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, In June of 2009, the United States Environmental
3 Protection Agency cited BP for violating the Clean Air Act at
4 its oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana; the EPA alleges that the
5 facility failed to manage benzene waste from 2003 through 2008
6 as required by national emission standards; and
 
7     WHEREAS, For the past 6 years, BP has reportedly exceeded
8 federal limits on air pollution of benzene; in 2008, the
9 company processed over 16 times the federal limit of benzene;
10 and
 
11     WHEREAS, Health effects from benzene exposure can include
12 dizziness, eye, nose and throat irritation, upset stomach and
13 vomiting, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and death;
14 long-term exposure to benzene can cause anemia, excessive
15 bleeding, and leukemia; and
 
16     WHEREAS, The EPA's citations add to other recent concerns
17 of pollution at the Whiting facility; in October of 2008, the
18 EPA cited BP for commencing construction at the facility
19 without obtaining the necessary permits for air pollution; in
20 July of 2007, Indiana state regulators approved a plan to allow
21 the BP facility to release increased levels of water pollution
22 into Lake Michigan; and
 

 

 

HR0548 - 2 - LRB096 13324 GRL 28006 r

1     WHEREAS, Pollution at the Whiting refinery is significant
2 to Illinois citizens because of the impact on water quality of
3 Lake Michigan and air quality in northern Illinois; and
 
4     WHEREAS, BP officials have indicated that plans to
5 modernize the plant, which was built in 1889, could help reduce
6 pollution levels; the company's current modernization project
7 includes $1.4 billion in environmental improvements;
8 therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
11 urge the United States Environmental Protection Agency to
12 continue to monitor the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana and its
13 effects on neighboring states; and be it further
 
14     RESOLVED, That we urge BP to take all possible steps to
15 modernize the Whiting, Indiana refinery in order to reduce air
16 and water pollution; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
18 presented to the Administrator of the United States
19 Environmental Protection Agency and the BP Board of Directors.