Emanuel Praises Passage of Emanuel-Ehlers Resolution Calling for End to Dumping in Great Lakes
Congress Increases Pressure on BP to Halt Proposed Dumping

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Rahm Emanuel (IL-5) released the following statement following the U.S. House of Representatives passage a concurrent resolution expressing Congress’ disapproval of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s issuance of a permit allowing BP to increase their daily dumping of ammonia and sludge into Lake Michigan. In a meeting yesterday with BP America’s President and other executives, Emanuel and other Members of Congress presented their emphatic opposition to the increased dumping plans.  In response, BP officials agreed to look at alternatives to the increased dumping and to meet again with Emanuel and other Congressional leaders in September 2007. 

 “The Great Lakes are an international treasure, yet they’re vulnerable and face enormous conservation challenges.  The EPA has reported in years prior that while there were a few positive signs, the Great Lakes were mostly in poor condition.  There were over one thousand beach closings on Lake Michigan in 2003 and ecological studies show that 96 percent of shoreline in the region is polluted. Thanks to the hard work of citizens, environmentalists, and elected officials, the health of the Great Lakes is improving, but the Indiana Department of Environmental Management permit to BP’s Whiting, Indiana facility to allow them to dump 1,584 pounds of ammonia and 4,925 pounds of total suspended solids, or ‘sludge’ into Lake Michigan flies in the face of all that hard work.  Today, we proudly work across the aisle to take Congressional action to end this dumping.  This Congress will not simply stand by while our Great Lakes are treated like a dumping zone.”

Emanuel and Vernon J. Ehlers (MI-3) introduced a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that:

1. Congress expresses its disapproval of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s issuance of a permit allowing BP to increase their daily dumping of ammonia and sludge into Lake Michigan;
2. Congress urges the State of Indiana to reconsider issuance of a permit allowing BP to increase their daily dumping of ammonia and sludge into Lake Michigan;
3. Congress should take action to protect and restore the Great Lakes;
4. the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s actions in the Great Lakes basin should be consistent with the goal of preserving and restoring the Great Lakes; and
5. the United States Environmental Protection Agency should not allow increased dumping of chemicals and pollutants into the Great Lakes.