The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a controversial air-permit application by oil-giant BP for its Whiting, Indiana refinery.
The EPA’s approval allows BP to continue construction on its near $4 billion expansion project. The approval dismays environmental groups who contend BP isn’t doing enough to safeguard air quality.
But BP spokesman Scott Dean says pollution emissions have decreased by 68 percent since 2001. He says that trend will continue when the project is completed in three years.
DEAN: We want to be part of the solution when it comes to reducing emissions while producing energy that people need.
Pamela Blakely, head of the EPA’s air permits section, says BP addressed all of the agency’s concerns in its air permit application.