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EPA notifies BP of major clean-air violations

Release Date: 11/30/2007
Contact Information: Karen Thompson 312-353-8547, thompson.karen@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA233


CHICAGO (Nov. 29, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 today notified BP Products North America Inc. of alleged violations of multiple Clean Air Act requirements at its Whiting, Ind., refinery.

EPA alleged that the BP Whiting refinery, located at 2815 Indianapolis Blvd:

* failed to obtain a permit when it made major modifications to its fluidized catalytic cracking unit. The unpermitted modification caused significant increases of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.
* violated New Source Performance Standards by modifying flares without complying with requirements, exceeding SO2 emission limits, and failing to monitor emissions from several sources. The NSPS are national emission standards for new and modified industrial facilities that contribute significantly to air pollution.
* failed to conduct timely performance tests of hydrogen chloride emissions from its catalytic reforming units.

BP has 10 days to request a conference to discuss the violations.