Indiana regulators on Thursday issued the final environmental permit needed for BP PLC to start work on a planned $3.8 billion expansion of its oil refinery along Lake Michigan.
The air emissions permit still needs approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but the state action allows BP to start construction work at the Whiting refinery.
An environmental group that fought the project called the state’s review “drive-by permitting” and said it was considering its options for appealing the decision.
Project foes have raised concerns about increases in carbon dioxide and other pollutants coming from the expanded refinery about 20 miles southeast of downtown Chicago.
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Frank Nofsinger says:
Citizens ought to thank their lucky stars for this expansion. If there were a dozen like it around the country, we wouldn't be gagging on $4 per gallon gasoline. As it is if we drilled for more oil we would be constrained by refining capacity, especially for the silly concoctions mandated by Congress.