British Petroleum (BP) has withdrawn its plan to increase the amount of pollution that it dumps in Lake Michigan according to the corporate media< and Environment Michigan. The Detroit News reported that BP is denying that they changed their plans due to public pressure, instead stating that they were concerned about "regulatory uncertainty." However, environmentalists were quick to claim victory citing massive public opposition to BP's efforts to increase the amount of pollution it dumps in Lake Michigan. Environment Michigan Director Mike Shriberg wrote in an email to supporters:
"Yesterday marked a great victory, one that demonstrates the power of everyday people to stand up and fight to protect their environment. Citing "ongoing regional opposition," BP America Chairman and President Bob Malone announced yesterday morning that the company will avoid any increased pollution into Lake Michigan from its oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana. BP has heard the voices of millions of Great Lakes Region residents that Lake Michigan is our natural treasure and source of drinking water, not our dumping ground. BP's statement indicates it will avoid increased dumping of ammonia and toxics-containing solids, which are allowed by its new discharge permit issued in June by Indiana's Department of Environmental Management. We'll be sure to keep up the pressure to make sure that BP lives up to yesterday's promise -- and we'll let you know if they falter. Yesterday's statement from BP couldn't have happened without the actions of people like you, and I want to express my deepest thanks for the ongoing support everyone has shown throughout this campaign. Together, we made yesterday's announcement happen and protected our lake."
In recent weeks Environment Michigan had delivered 65,000 signatures opposing the plan to BP and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while the Alliance for the Great Lakes filed a legal petition to halt the pollution permit. The plan had also received widespread criticism from politicians in the region.
