HR0548 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0548 LRB096 13324 GRL 28006 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In June of 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency cited BP for violating the Clean Air Act at its oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana; the EPA alleges that the facility failed to manage benzene waste from 2003 through 2008 as required by national emission standards; and

WHEREAS, For the past 6 years, BP has reportedly exceeded federal limits on air pollution of benzene; in 2008, the company processed over 16 times the federal limit of benzene; and

WHEREAS, Health effects from benzene exposure can include dizziness, eye, nose and throat irritation, upset stomach and vomiting, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and death; long-term exposure to benzene can cause anemia, excessive bleeding, and leukemia; and

WHEREAS, The EPA's citations add to other recent concerns of pollution at the Whiting facility; in October of 2008, the EPA cited BP for commencing construction at the facility without obtaining the necessary permits for air pollution; in July of 2007, Indiana state regulators approved a plan to allow the BP facility to release increased levels of water pollution into Lake Michigan; and

WHEREAS, Pollution at the Whiting refinery is significant to Illinois citizens because of the impact on water quality of Lake Michigan and air quality in northern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, BP officials have indicated that plans to modernize the plant, which was built in 1889, could help reduce pollution levels; the company's current modernization project includes $1.4 billion in environmental improvements; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United States Environmental Protection Agency to continue to monitor the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana and its effects on neighboring states; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge BP to take all possible steps to modernize the Whiting, Indiana refinery in order to reduce air and water pollution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the BP Board of Directors.