Greenwash at BP Whiting refinery
December 2, 2007
TOM BROWN
According to Wikipedia, greenwash is a term that is used to describe the actions of a company, government, or other organization which advertises positive environmental practices while acting in the opposite way. (1)
- Greenwash - 28 Nov 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwash
But according to BP, their Whiting, Indiana, refinery is a 2007 Helios award winning runner up -- their award by the way -- which meets environmental regulatory standards while lowering cost and increasing profit.
"Smart environmental investment at Whiting, R&M, USA. At Whiting Refinery, BP created one investment solution to meet two environmental constraints: diesel sulphur regulations and 'Project Sunshine' (government-prescribed reductions in catalytic cracker sulphur dioxide emissions). This allowed Whiting to not only satisfy the regulations and create long-term sustainability, but also unlocked $60m a year in extra value and saved $100m of capital cost." (2)
- BP > About BP > How we run the business > Helios awards 2007
http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9002633&contentId=2000570
Reality
The EPA says BP did not obtain a permit in February of 2005 for modifications to its "catalytic cracking unit." The modifications caused "significant increases of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and carbon monoxide."
While BP touted meeting "government-prescribed reductions in catalytic cracker sulphur dioxide emission", it had in fact failed to meet government regulations and had increased, not lowered, sulphur dioxide emissions at Whiting.
The EPA also said "...BP failed to monitor emissions from several sources and did not conduct 'timely performance tests' of hydrogen chloride emissions from its catalytic reforming units..." (3)
- EPA reports violations at Whiting refinery - 30 Nov 2007
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20071130-1519-bpwhiting-violations.html
Where were Indiana Governor Daniels and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)?
Daniels' IDEM was preparing to approve a permit to allow BP to expand operations at Whiting and to dump more ammonia and dangerous solids into Lake Michigan. The intended permit ignited a firestorm of regional protest which rapidly spread to Congress and the international community.
BP executives claim there is no technology available to more effectively reduce the ammonia discharge created by their Whiting expansion plan. At least three companies, all selling ammonia mediation technologies, say they were shut out by BP executives. One of the companies is based in South Bend, Indiana, an hour east of the Whiting refinery. (4)
- BP wastewater permit: 'We already have the technology' - 11 Nov 2007
http://www.post-trib.com/news/645051,bptreat.article
So why isn't IDEM effectively protecting the environment?
Immediately upon taking office, Gov. Daniels redefined the mission of IDEM to attracting business to Indiana or, as he more politely framed it, creating jobs. He also instituted a business friendly "streamlined" permit approval process and fired IDEM staffers who he thought wouldn't support the new mission.
To gain short term political and economic advantage, Gov. Daniels is willing to grant a company which misleads the public about its environmental standards and practices the right to additionally pollute our water and air in spite of available technologies which could economically treat the waste before it is released. BP and the Governor don't want to hear about it or pay for it.
Even as oil companies set record profits, our Governor willingly guarantees corporate revenue at the expense of public and environmental health and sustainable economy when he shifts -- in accounting terms, externalizes -- BP's business costs to the public treasury and the natural environment. Indiana citizens will live with, die from or clean up the mess on our dime, now or later.
The Republican Daniels administration and previous Democrat administrations have left Indiana a mess. As a result, Forbes Magazine ranks Indiana 49th greenest state. (5) For Fortune 500 companies interested in such rankings, Indiana is one step away from the bottom in desirability as a place to locate business and live.
- America's greenest states - 11 Oct 2007
http://www.forbes.com/2007/10/16/environment-energy-vermont-biz-beltway-cx_bw_mm_1017greenstates_2.html
To paraphrase Ross Perot, the colorful former Presidential candidate, it is high time to clean out the barn. At the very least, IDEM must return to its legislated role as protector of the environment rather than facilitator of corporate profit and greenwash; Gov. Daniels must return to private life; and, BP must live up to its own PR.
Honey, where did you put the shovel?
Tom Brown is a former Green candidate for mayor of South Bend, one hour east and downwind of the BP Whiting refinery on the Indiana Toll Road.Resources
EPA reports violations at BP refinery
South Bend Tribune - 1 Dec 2007
http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071201/News01/712010303/1011/News
Greenwashing
SourceWatch - 1 Dec 2007
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Greenwashing
BP says it won't increase pollution
Chicago Tribune - 24 Aug 2007
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-web_bp-permitaug24,1,1446638.story
Chicago gagged at hearing on BP; Daley aides not allowed to speak
Chicago Sun Times - 23 Aug 2007
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070823/ai_n19492278
BP refinery expansion plan sparks opposition
NPR - 14 Aug 2007
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12774639
Scandal, Crises Hasten Exit For British Icon
Wall Street Journal - 2 May 2007
http://www.mindfully.org/Energy/2007/BP-John-Browne2may07.htm
The five Indiana counties east (downwind) of the BP Whiting plant (Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart) have D or F air quality ratings for particulate matter according to the American Lung Association 2007 State of the Air report. Indiana cities in the downwind corridor have the 11th and 13th worst air among the states for long- and short-term particulate matter. The EPA acknowledges Indiana citizens suffer heart and lung disease and die prematurely because of air pollution.
American Lung Association State of the Air 2007: Indiana
http://lungaction.org/reports/SOTA07_stateozone.html?geo_area_id=18
Metropolitan Areas Most Polluted by Short-term Particle Pollution (24-Hour PM2.5) and
Metropolitan Areas Most Polluted by Year-Round Particle Pollution (Annual PM2.5)
http://lungaction.org/reports/sota07_cities.html
Highlights of Clear Skies in Indiana
http://www.epa.gov/air/clearskies/state/in.html
St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN