Progress Illinois

A study commissioned by British Petroleum indicates that emissions from the expanded BP oil refinery in Whiting, IN could be much greater than the company initially claimed. The report was drawn up by Trinity Consultants and submitted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management as part of BP's application for new state permits. It shows that the current expansion of the plant could result in a 50 percent increase in Co2 emissions (BP has claimed emissions would only rise by 20 percent). In terms of greenhouse gas pollution, this increase is roughly the equivalent of putting 200,000 to 400,000 new cars on the road.

Meanwhile, Co2 is only one of several pollutants that could be emitted at higher levels, reports the Post-Tribune, which received the study via a public information request:

According to the report by Trinity Consultants, nitrogen oxides -- which can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract -- could increase up to 11 times the threshold amount. To reduce nitrogen oxide emissions during combustion, BP will install new heaters and retrofit or replace existing heaters. Carbon monoxide -- an odorless, colorless gas that can kill and at lower levels headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue -- could go up more than five times the threshold.

BP claims that the report is misleading because it lists the amount of pollutants the plant would emit if ran at maximum capacity. Environmentalists counter that BP is known for polluting past legally sanctioned levels, and its ability to do so at Whiting constitutes a serious environmental and public health risk. The state of Indiana has already awarded BP the necessary permits to expand the facility and construction is ongoing. However, the decision to allow the expansion faces a legal challenge from environmental groups.