WHITING, IN – BP Products North America Inc. has agreed to a historic settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over violations at its Whiting Refinery.
The Clean Air Act Settlement requires BP Products to implement control technology that will reduce benzene, hazardous air pollutants (HAP), and volatile organic compound emissions (VOC).
The measures are estimated to cut benzene by seven tons annually, HAP by 28 tons annually, and VOC by 372 tons annually.
The settlement, announced Wednesday by the DOJ, includes a penalty of $40 million, the largest ever secured for a Clean Air Act stationary source settlement. Additionally, BP Products will install benzene strippers, reduce diesel emissions, and set up air pollutant monitoring stations. The Whiting Refinery, surrounded by communities with environmental justice concerns, will benefit from improved air quality and reduced health impacts.
Benzene, a harmful chemical found in petroleum products, is known to cause cancer in humans and can lead to various health problems upon exposure, including respiratory issues and anemia.
