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Who makes final environmental decisions?
Returning again to the BP Whiting saga, there is now a flap over how much soot the plant can currently and will be able to release. A bit of soot here or there isn't the issue, but it's how the decision is being made.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Indiana regulators granted the exemption to BP to allow the soot release. However, the state may not have the final word. Federal EPA authorities are looking at the situation and may put a stop to it. Moreover, Illinois lawmakers are seeing if they can sue to have it all stopped.
There will not be an answer on this anytime soon. It will be tied up in the courts for quite a while if history is any indicator. BP will be left with unclear answers as to what it has to do under the circumstances. And let's not forget the court of public opinion. As the article also says, BP has backed off its plans to release more sludge and ammonia into Lake Michigan due to "a groundswell of protest from politicians and the public."
This situation has certainly provided lessons for any process manufacturer. The most important one is to keep a low profile. If that doesn't work, you may never know when you have finally arrived at the point where you can operate without challenge. Read the full article. This story will likely become a case study for large process producers in the future.
Who makes final environmental decisions?
August 29, 2007
Returning again to the BP Whiting saga, there is now a flap over how much soot the plant can currently and will be able to release. A bit of soot here or there isn't the issue, but it's how the decision is being made.According to the Chicago Tribune, Indiana regulators granted the exemption to BP to allow the soot release. However, the state may not have the final word. Federal EPA authorities are looking at the situation and may put a stop to it. Moreover, Illinois lawmakers are seeing if they can sue to have it all stopped.
There will not be an answer on this anytime soon. It will be tied up in the courts for quite a while if history is any indicator. BP will be left with unclear answers as to what it has to do under the circumstances. And let's not forget the court of public opinion. As the article also says, BP has backed off its plans to release more sludge and ammonia into Lake Michigan due to "a groundswell of protest from politicians and the public."
This situation has certainly provided lessons for any process manufacturer. The most important one is to keep a low profile. If that doesn't work, you may never know when you have finally arrived at the point where you can operate without challenge. Read the full article. This story will likely become a case study for large process producers in the future.
Posted by Peter Welander on August 29, 2007 | Comments (0)
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