BP could face violation for gas release in Whiting
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A release of gases at the BP Whiting oil refinery that caused a pungent odor that could be smelled as far east as St. Joseph County could lead to another violation for the plant.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management told our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana a severe storm caused a partial power outage at the refinery, which led to the refinery gas flares being flooded with excess gases. Those gases were released outside the allowable emission limits, according to IDEM Public Information Officer Barry Sneed.
The excess gas was primarily comprised of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Though Sneed said gases are currently not being produced or sent to the flares at the refinery.
“As part of their permit with IDEM, BP is required to report emissions that deviate from emission standards of the Clean Air Act,” he said. “IDEM will subsequently review reports and take appropriate action in the case of any violations.”
Sneed said IDEM will continue to monitor the situation and work with BP to ensure that the refinery is operating in compliance with state and federal regulations.
The incident comes just over a month after BP Products North America Inc. agreed to pay a $40 million penalty and install technology to control releases of benzene and other contaminants at the oil refinery and invest around $197 million in improvements.