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NEWS BRIEF: EPA issues amended citation to BP for clean-air violations at its Whiting (Ind.) refinery

Release Date: 10/02/2008
Contact Information:

CONTACT: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 08-OPA155


CHICAGO (Oct. 2, 2008) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued an amended notice and finding of violation to the BP Products North America for alleged Clean Air Act violations at the company's petroleum refinery at 2815 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, Ind.

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.

EPA 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.

These are preliminary findings of violation. BP has 30 days to request a meeting with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations.