Statement by Stephen Elbert Vice Chairman BP America, Inc.

"I want to thank U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Mary Gade for convening this meeting and providing us with this opportunity to continue our dialogue with regulators and interested stakeholders on the BP Whiting Refinery modernization project.

"I also want to thank Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials who have travelled here today to attend and participate in this meeting, as well as the various other stakeholders who are participating in this round table from throughout the Lake Michigan region. 

"The issues surrounding our plans for modernization of the Whiting Refinery are not trivial.  What we are confronting is a regional expression of a long running national debate concerning energy supply, energy security and environmental protection.

"BP is committed to providing the fuel Midwest residents need while reducing the environmental consequences of producing that fuel.

"Everyone here has strong views on the subject.  I have strong views on the subject. 

"Having strong views is not the same as being inflexible or unwilling to listen with an open mind to other views. That's why I'm here, to listen with an open mind.

"The project we've started will enhance the region's energy security by bringing more Canadian crude into the refinery.  It will increase the gasoline output of the refinery.  We believe this project is good for the country, good for the Midwest and for good for BP.

"Protecting the quality of Lake Michigan is important to me, and BP's employees.

"The permit we have been issued by IDEM and the EPA is protective of Lake Michigan.

"There will be no change in the refinery's discharge to Lake Michigan until 2011, at the earliest, when we plan to begin processing more Canadian crude oil.

"We will continue working to find new technologies that we can use to lower our discharges before our permit is up for renewal in 2012.  We have a good track record of lowering our discharges at the refinery.

"With regard to that last point, I would like to thank Congresswoman Judy Biggert and Congressman Peter Visclosky for initiating collaboration between Argonne National Laboratory, Purdue University Calumet Water Institute and ourselves to identify and evaluate emerging technologies which could be of benefit..

"I intend to do more listening than talking at this meeting and I'm looking forward to hearing the suggestions that I know many people have spent considerable time and effort developing.

"Thank you again for the opportunity to be here today." 

Press Enquiries:

Scott Dean, BP America Inc.,
(630) 821-3212

Valerie Corr, BP America Inc.,
(630) 821-3206