<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="country-region"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="Street"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PostalCode"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="address"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PersonName"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.smtext1
{font-family:Arial;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle22
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='word-wrap: break-word;-webkit-nbsp-mode: space;
-webkit-line-break: after-white-space'>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>What:
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Indiana</st1:State></st1:place>
Department of Environmental Management public hearing on the BP Whiting
Refinery air permit<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>When:
Friday, March 24, 20008<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Time:
Informal question period at 5:30 p.m. and formal public hearing at 6:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Where: <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Hammond</st1:City></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Civic</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">5825 Sohl
Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Hammond</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">IN</st1:State></st1:address> (west of <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on">Calumet Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street> at 158<sup>th</sup>)<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Why:
BP expansion to refine tar sands oil from <st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
which will increase air pollution to an already polluted <font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'>region </span></font>and threatens boreal forest and boreal
birds.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>IDEM helps BP avoid soot reductions<br>
</span></font></b><span class=smtext1><b><font size=1 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-weight:bold'>(<a
href="http://www.post-trib.com/news/833243,bphurry.article"
title="http://www.post-trib.com/news/833243,bphurry.article">http://www.post-trib.com/news/833243,bphurry.article</a>)</span></font></b></span><b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>March 9, 2008<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>By Gitte Laasby Post-Tribune staff writer <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>WHITING
-- Approval of an air permit for BP is moving along faster than
environmentalists would like -- and faster than IDEM's normal standards -- with
BP standing to gain. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Environmentalists
say IDEM's rushing undermines the public's opportunity to comment and that it
happens at the expense of public health. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"This
time frame is extremely rushed. It really is not a meaningful opportunity for
public comment. Just to read the documents is more time than they've given
us," <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Ann Alexander</st1:PersonName>, senior
attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>When
the Indiana Department of Environmental Management rescheduled the Feb. 25
public hearing on BP's air permit, it wasn't so much out of consideration for a
coalition of environmental groups that asked for more time to review the
thousands of pages in the permit -- although that's what IDEM has stated in a
news release. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>It
was because IDEM failed to comply with state law when the agency first
publicized the hearing. State law requires a minimum of 30 days' notice. IDEM
provided only 20 days. If IDEM had not re-noticed the hearing, the permit could
have been successfully challenged at the state or federal level. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Although
IDEM is not required to do so by law, the agency usually gives the public about
a month and a half after a hearing to submit written comments on permits. This
time, the public has just over a week. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Timing
vital for BP <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Time
is of the essence in issuing the permit: BP relies on so-called emission
credits to avoid stricter requirements about reducing certain types of
pollution, including soot. But the credits expire on June 1. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>That
means if IDEM had given environmental groups the two months extra they requested,
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were to take the 45 days it is
allowed to review the permit to make sure it meets Clean Air Act standards, the
credits would expire before the permit is issued. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"Sadly,
it just reinforces our whole feeling about a state agency charged with
protecting the environment. That's clearly not its intent, to fill its agency
function," <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Kim Ferraro</st1:PersonName>,
attorney with the Legal Environmental Aid Foundation, said. "I would think
it wouldn't matter to them that the emission credits were going to expire in
June. The most important thing is they've done a thorough review and given the
public opportunity to review it." <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Alexander
also was disappointed. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"If
what you're telling me is true and they're trying to get this under the wire so
BP can get this in at the expense that the public doesn't have enough time to
comment, we don't think that's appropriate," Alexander said. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>BP
spokesman Scott Dean said BP did not ask IDEM to rush the permit. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"Have
we had conversations with IDEM on the process and timing? Yes. But have we
asked them to speed up the permit? No," Dean said. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
Post-Tribune asked IDEM whether the agency set the short timeline in order to
help BP avoid having its emission credits expire, which would save BP money on
pollution control equipment. IDEM spokesman Rob Elstro replied in an e-mail
that the Post-Tribune "falsely implies that IDEM is not complying with
legal requirements." <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"The
facts are that IDEM is obligated, by law, to issue permit decisions within
statutory time frames. The permit application for BP's proposed project was
received by our agency in November, and IDEM is allowed 120 days" by
statute to issue its decision on the permit, Elstro stated in the e-mail. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>IDEM
gets another 45 days to issue the permit when it holds a public hearing. The
agency can extend the deadline to issue the permit if the applicant agrees. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
Post-Tribune also asked whether the hearing was rescheduled at the request of
someone at IDEM, the governor's office, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, the public or the environmental coalition. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"IDEM
received many requests for additional time to review the BP permit documents
and we provided additional time for the public to participate in the review
process," Elstro replied. "IDEM is going beyond requirements in
providing time for public participation, as we comply with statutory
requirements for making a decision about the permit." <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Credits
due to expire <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>BP
says it's spending $1.4 billion on environmental improvements, and the emission
credits are essential for BP to avoid spending more. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
Whiting refinery earned its credits for reducing emissions of soot in 2003,
earlier than it was required. But the credits expire after five years because
they're intended to ensure continued improvement. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
credits allow BP to subtract the amount of pollution that the refinery reduced
in 2003 from what it is expected to emit in 2011. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Without
the credits, BP would be forced to offset any increases by installing more
sophisticated pollution control equipment or shutting down some of the
polluting units. The requirement now is best available technology. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"If
the new standards are imposed on them, they have to get state of the art, the
best, whatever it is," Ferraro said. "There's a reason they (credits)
expire. That means we want companies to continue to reduce their emissions.
Trying to slide this permit in to take advantage of something they did in 2003
doesn't help us here in 2008." <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Why
the normal requirement to reduce pollution? <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
has not attained federal standards for fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5.,
which can collect in the lungs and worsen asthma and cause premature death,
according to the U.S. EPA. To keep the problem from getting worse, new
facilities and facilities that make major increases in air pollution are
required to offset any increases. They do that by decreasing pollution
elsewhere at the facility. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
law sets specific limits for what is considered a major increase. In
nonattainment areas, the limit is lower. Without the credits, BP's increases in
pollution would be large enough for the modernization to be considered a major
modification. But because the law allows BP to subtract its previous reductions
by using the credits, the oil company comes in below the threshold for major
modifications. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"If
they were not able to offset their emissions, they would be subject to more
stringent limits. They're trying to hurry this through," Ferraro said.
"It's very self-serving and that IDEM would allow that is very telling."
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Another
element that makes time important is that the EPA has implemented new pollution
standards for PM 2.5. But the agency is still developing guidelines on how
states should implement the new standards, which is expected to happen soon. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>When
the guidelines are released, facilities predicted to emit major PM 2.5
increases will likely be required to install pollution control equipment to
abate the increases. Until the new guidelines are out, there are no such
requirements. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Contact
Gitte Laasby at 648-2183, 477-6012 or glaasby@post-trib.com <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>How to comment <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>The Indiana Department of Environmental Management will hold
an informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. followed by a public hearing starting at
6:30 p.m. Friday at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Hammond</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Civic</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">5825 Sohl Ave</st1:Street>, <st1:City
w:st="on">Hammond</st1:City></st1:address>. The public also has until March 24
to mail, hand-deliver or e-mail written comments to: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>Indiana Department of Environmental Management <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=1 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>100 N.
Senate Ave.</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><font size=1 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>Mail Code 61-53 IGCN 1003 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Indianapolis</span></font></st1:City><font
size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'>, <st1:State w:st="on">IN</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">46204-2251</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><font
size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>E-mail: mmoulik@idem.in.gov <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>IDEM will provide a response to comments with the final
permit decision to those who provide their name with a valid address. The
proposed permit is available for public review on IDEM's Web site,
www.in.gov/idem <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Timeline
for BP air permit process <o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>2003:
BP makes voluntary reductions in certain types of pollution, earning emission
credits valid for five years. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Oct.
31, 2007: BP submits a new application for an air permit. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Feb.
5, 2008: IDEM announces BP's air permit meeting and hearing on Feb. 25 via its
listserv. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Feb.
7: Legal ad announcing the meeting and hearing on Feb. 25 is scheduled to run
in the Post-Tribune, but an IDEM employee cancels the ad before it runs. The
law requires at least 30 days' notice. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Feb.
8: IDEM reschedules the meeting and hearing, announcing via its listserv that
the event is now March 14. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Feb.
11: A new legal ad runs in the Post-Tribune, announcing the meeting and hearing
on March 14. This time, the notice is 32 days in advance. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>March
14: Informational meeting and public hearing on the air permit. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>March
24: Deadline for submitting public comments on the permit. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>April 28: If IDEM had provided the normal 45 days for the
public to comment after the hearing, this would have been the deadline for
submitting comments. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>May
8: Deadline for EPA to comment on the permit to assure it meets Clean Air Act
standards. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>June
1: BP's emission credits expire. If the permit isn't issued before this, BP
will have to offset increases in pollution by implementing more pollution
control measures. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial'>June
12: If IDEM had given the public the normal 45 days to comment, this would have
been the deadline for EPA to comment on the permit to make sure it meets Clean
Air standards.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>