HR0548

LRB096 13324 GRL 28006 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, In June of 2009, the United States Environmental 
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Protection Agency cited BP for violating the Clean Air Act at 
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its oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana; the EPA alleges that the 
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facility failed to manage benzene waste from 2003 through 2008 
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as required by national emission standards; and

 
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    WHEREAS, For the past 6 years, BP has reportedly exceeded 
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federal limits on air pollution of benzene; in 2008, the 
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company processed over 16 times the federal limit of benzene; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Health effects from benzene exposure can include 
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dizziness, eye, nose and throat irritation, upset stomach and 
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vomiting, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and death; 
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long-term exposure to benzene can cause anemia, excessive 
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bleeding, and leukemia; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The EPA's citations add to other recent concerns 
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of pollution at the Whiting facility; in October of 2008, the 
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EPA cited BP for commencing construction at the facility 
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without obtaining the necessary permits for air pollution; in 
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July of 2007, Indiana state regulators approved a plan to allow 
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the BP facility to release increased levels of water pollution 
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into Lake Michigan; and

 
 


 






HR0548
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LRB096 13324 GRL 28006 r




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    WHEREAS, Pollution at the Whiting refinery is significant 
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to Illinois citizens because of the impact on water quality of 
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Lake Michigan and air quality in northern Illinois; and

 
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    WHEREAS, BP officials have indicated that plans to 
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modernize the plant, which was built in 1889, could help reduce 
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pollution levels; the company's current modernization project 
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includes $1.4 billion in environmental improvements; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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urge the United States Environmental Protection Agency to 
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continue to monitor the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana and its 
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effects on neighboring states; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we urge BP to take all possible steps to 
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modernize the Whiting, Indiana refinery in order to reduce air 
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and water pollution; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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presented to the Administrator of the United States 
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Environmental Protection Agency and the BP Board of Directors.