BP is Environment Friendly

BP being one of the largets oil company has always been doing their business well and within the correct guidelines imposed by the US government. Recently, a group of environmentalist cried foul over the States government's decision for allowing BP to expand its oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana. It was reported in Chicago Tribune that the expansion will effectively release 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan each day. The accusation was strongly denied by BP as they has always been one of the company which promotes environmentally friendly processes in their business.

Here are some facts about BP's Whiting Refinery released in response to the objections by the environmentalist:

Only treated water into Lake Michigan
What is released from BP's refinery is treated water that is more than 99.9% water and not sludge which the reporst claimed. All sludge is treated separately, according to state and federal requirements, and never discharged into Lake Michigan.

Well within legal limits
A new water discharge permit allows the refinery’s average ammonia discharge to increase, but at levels that will still be less than half of those that federal environmental guidelines could allow.

No harm to people or the environment
BP strictly follow the state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines that protect aquatic and human life.

Continuous improvement
For the benefit of the environment, the Whiting Refinery voluntarily reduced total suspended solids in its water discharge by 40% in just the past four years.

Modern technology
BP operates a modern wastewater plant in Whiting today and plan to invest about $150 million to enhance the refinery’s wastewater treatment capability. This investments are in place to ensure that the latest and most capable technology is used for the wastewater treatment.

Collaborative, transparent approach
BP is working with federal, state and local elected officials, regulators, community and environmental organizations, and communities to develop comprehensive, environmentally sound plans.

Fuel for the Midwest
The Whiting Refinery produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel people need for their daily lives.

Jobs now and in the future
Today the refinery has about 1,700 employees and another 1,500 contract workers. The planned modernization will create new jobs for about 2,000 contract
workers during peak construction, as well as an estimated 80 full-time BP employees when complete.

The statements release by BP indicates strongly that BP is committed to be a "GREEN COMPANY" which not only continuously improves it's capabilities to produce more oil to meet the ever growing demands for energy source. Not only that, BP's expansion also means that more family will be fed because more jobs will be created as a result.