Biggert’s and Visclosky’s action came in response to ongoing concerns over EPA-permitted discharges into Lake Michigan. 

            “The permits may allow it, but tomorrow’s technology should make it unnecessary,” said Biggert. 

“In Chicago, our lake is our treasure.  It’s drinking water for 30 million Americans, it’s a driving force behind the Midwest’s economy,” said Biggert, a senior member of the Science and Technology Committee.  “The time has come to stop the threats and finger-pointing and build consensus around innovative solutions that protect both our natural resources and our energy security.” 

            “The Purdue Calumet Water Institute is a regional academic institution that provides expertise on water-quality issues, and Argonne National Laboratory is a world-renown energy technology facility,” said Visclosky. “This is a great opportunity for an independent third-party to apply emerging technologies to protect Lake Michigan.” 

            On July 17, Biggert and other members of the Illinois Delegation met with Bob Malone, Chairman and President of BP America, to discuss a discharge permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.  On August 1st, Visclosky, who has met personally with BP officials over the past several weeks, hosted an Indiana Delegation briefing with Indiana State officials as well as with Malone.

            The permit allows a BP facility in Whiting, Indiana to release 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more total suspended solids into Lake Michigan each day.  Proponents maintain that the facility would expand domestic refining capacity at a time when Chicago-area consumers are paying the highest gas prices in the nation – an average of $3.29 per gallon.

            In response to public concerns, Biggert and several other Illinois legislators – including Reps. Mark Kirk, Rahm Emanuel, Jesse Jackson Jr., Peter Roskam, Danny Davis, Bobby Rush and Dan Lipinski – sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on July 19th, asking for a formal review of the permit and its potential impact on Lake Michigan. 

            Although the U.S. EPA has not yet issued a formal response, the Chicago Tribune reported on July 31st that Stephen Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said, “In this case, it's my understanding that Indiana issued a permit that is fully compliant with the Clean Water Act.”  Indiana officials also reportedly determined that the wastewater poses no risk to human or aquatic life. 

            “Early indications suggest that the permit and the refinery are compliant with the law,” said Biggert.  “But with emerging technology, it shouldn’t be necessary to permit more ammonia and mercury to be dumped into the lake.  That means going beyond just determining what’s legal and what isn’t, and finding ways to do even better.”

            Following the Tribune report, Biggert contacted Bob Malone of BP and Robert Rosner, Director of Argonne National Laboratory, to ask if there are technical challenges that, if overcome, might reduce the need for additional discharges.  The answer from both was an emphatic yes. 

            Argonne National Laboratory, located in Biggert’s district, has an ongoing partnership with Purdue University Calumet to conduct interdisciplinary research on water quality and resource management. The partnership’s center, called the Purdue University Calumet Water Institute (PWI), is located in Congressman Visclosky’s district, just a short distance from BP’s refinery in Whiting. 

            “The Purdue University Calumet Water Institute’s highly-qualified faculty and talented students are well-positioned to conduct this kind of advanced water research,” said Purdue Calumet Chancellor Howard Cohen.  “We look forward to this opportunity to further develop our working relationships with industry and government and hopefully find some creative solutions to a very pressing issue.”

            “Argonne is a leading national research institution that continues to work with industry and academia to address regional and national energy and environmental issues,” said Rosner.  “Our existing relationship with Purdue University Calumet will enhance our ability to identify and develop technologies that address these concerns.”

“The people of Illinois and Indiana, BP, and the scientific community all have a strong interest in seeing this work,” said Biggert.  “There’s no question that America needs to expand domestic energy production, but we must find long-term solutions that protect for the environment in the process.”

            After further discussion, Biggert and Visclosky asked Argonne and PWI to bring together a collaborative team of scientists and water experts to work with BP on exploring and reviewing emerging technologies that may improve waste management efficiency and help mitigate the impact of wastewater discharge on the Great Lakes. 

            “Given our current energy crisis, we must find ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and I believe we can do that in an environmentally-friendly fashion,” said Visclosky, who is also the Chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. 

            While mercury filtration and water treatment will be a primary focus of the task force, other key challenges are already under discussion.  In addition, the team intends to conduct a comparative analysis of related discharge issues to help policy makers better understand and address environmental concerns.

            “It’s not a first step, nor a last step,” said Biggert and Visclosky.  “But it’s a step in the right direction.  We are confident that, by bringing together some of our nation’s top minds, we can find innovative solutions for this facility.  We may even set a new standard for the industry.”