Political Solutions
Fight global warming pollution from oil refineries
When we think about the causes of global warming pollution, we often picture coal plants or highways full of cars in traffic. In fact, coal plants and the transportation sector are the two largest contributors to global warming.
However, lately you may be hearing more and more about oil refinery expansions
, particularly in the Midwest. Eight oil refinery expansions have been proposed across the Midwest over the past few months due in large part to the now commercially viable tar sands in Alberta, Canada.
Canadian crude is a sandy, petroleum rich form of deposit that can be harvested and transported to oil refineries, where it is processed and converted into workable fuel for cars and trucks.
The potential increase in global warming from the oil refinery expansions is huge. One proposed new oil refinery in Hyperion, South Dakota would add 19 million tons of global warming pollution–the equivalent of adding four to six new coal-fired power plants. The proposed expansion by BP in Northwest Indiana reportedly would increase global warming pollution by 40%.
Some oil companies already have acknowledged that it’s possible to expand refinery capacity without increasing global warming pollution. In California, ConocoPhillips agreed to no net increases in air pollution, water pollution, and carbon dioxide pollution through offsets in a $600 million expansion project in Contra Costa County.
We’ve got to make sure that all Midwest expansion projects help reduce global warming pollution. One way is for refineries to use state-of-the art technology to operate as cleanly as possible.
In the news
The Chicago Tribune reported 
recently that global warming pollution from Midwest oil refineries is expected to soar by as much as 40 percent during the next decade. Read the story here. And Chicago Public Radio reported on successful efforts by ELPC and other Midwest environmental groups to fight refinery pollution.
ELPC Attorney Meleah Geertsma testified on March 14th concerning draft permits for BP’s Whiting, Indiana refinery expansion at a hearing held by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Download a copy of her written testimony here.
Take Action Now!
Sign a petition! Tell ConocoPhillips to make the same pledge to Wood River, Illinois as it did in California. 
No net increase in air pollution, no net increase in water pollution, and no net increase in global warming pollution.
Get involved! Sign up for our Action Updates to receive the most up-to-date information on this issue.
ELPC initiatives
ELPC and our regional colleagues are asking oil companies to use state-of-the art technology to operate as cleanly as possible. Learn more about the fight against refinery pollution here.
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February 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
The fact of the matter is that if you elimate the problem with oil refinerings there is always gonna be another problem waiting to be be-headed. You can’t expect the problem to just go away…Duh