WASHINGTON – A bi-partisan resolution introduced by Congressmen Vernon J. Ehlers (MI-3) and Rahm Emmanuel (IL-5) passed in the House today by a vote of 387-26, expressing Congress’ disapproval of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s recent approval of increased toxic dumping levels for a BP refinery on Lake Michigan. The refinery in Whiting, Indiana would be allowed to dump 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into the lake under a plan to expand refinery capacity.

“I support expanding refinery capacity in North America, and I believe projects such as this one can help drive down the price of gasoline for consumers,” said Ehlers. “But I do not believe that the benefits of this project should come at the expense of our most precious natural resource.  The Great Lakes are the world’s largest freshwater system and serve as a source of drinking water, food, jobs and recreation for more than 40 million Americans.

“The increases in discharge permitted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management are not consistent with the regional goal of keeping the Great Lakes clean and healthy for everyone.”

The Great Lakes are plagued by pollutants such as mercury, PCBs, ammonia, DDT, alkylated lead, hexachlorobenzene, TCDD, toxaphene, and others.  High amounts of ammonia can cause algae blooms that threaten fish and water quality. Under the permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, BP’s Whiting, Indiana facility will be allowed to dump an average of 1,584 pounds of ammonia and 4,925 pounds of sludge daily into Lake Michigan.  Emanuel and Ehlers resolution expresses a 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.