WHITING | BP's newly proposed air emissions limits are strict and part of an important multibillion-dollar investment in the region, company executives said Friday.
BP officials continued detailing the refinery's proposed air permit submitted earlier in the week. Friday's presentation at the company's Whiting refinery was to local union, economic development officials and municipal leaders who sought to understand the proposed limits.
BP Whiting plant manager Dan Sajkowski also gave the audience updates on the site's $3.8-billion expansion, in which he said there is "a lot at stake."
BP submitted an air application to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management that would decrease emissions of four pollutants but would increase releases of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and lead by 2011.
Under the new permit, BP would apply the use of credits earned through pollutant-reducing investments to offset the spikes, company officials explained.
Officials are still determining how to curb emissions of carbon dioxide, not included in the proposed permit, which expected to increase by 50 percent because of expansion planned at the plant, Sajkowski said.
Sajkowski stressed the refinery's 68 percent reduction in regulated emissions during the last five years.
"To us, that's a big deal," he said.
He said the refinery still is clamoring for a solution to how it will undertake its multibillion-dollar expansion without further polluting Lake Michigan.
After weathering weeks of criticism regarding proposals to hike releases of ammonia and suspended solids, BP retreated and vowed not to dump more.
"We, frankly, still don't know how to do that," Sajkowski said.
Sajkowski said hundreds of engineers are tackling the problem as part of the project's current design phase. Axing the project, he said, is still an option.
Karen Lauerman, with the Northwest Indiana Forum, said the group is still reviewing BP's permit but commended the refinery for hosting public talks.
Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura said he did not have concerns about the refinery's air permit.
BP officials have acknowledged that the permit process, and resulting application, can be complicated. BP plans on conducting more sessions, including in Illinois, to help cut through some of the confusion, Sajkowski said.
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