[BCNnet] Lawmaker wants answers on BP, Horseshoe

[Carolyn A. Marsh]

FYI, Carolyn Marsh

http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/07/18/news/lake_county/docd189d9d5c35e
5c7d8625731c0004b83c.prt

Date posted online: Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Lawmaker wants answers on BP, Horseshoe 
Michigan City to conduct legislative hearings on expansions
BY PATRICK GUINANE
pguinane at nwitimes.com
317.637.9078 


 


 

INDIANAPOLIS | A prominent Northwest Indiana Democrat plans to grill state
officials over controversial decisions to allow major expansions of the BP
oil refinery in Whiting and Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.

In a statement late Tuesday, state Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, said
he will use his position as chairman of a legislative study committee to
conduct a "vigorous" investigation of state environmental regulators' recent
decision allowing BP to dramatically increase water pollution.

"The Indiana Department of Environmental Management permitted a major
manufacturer to discharge (more) ammonia and sludge into Lake Michigan,"
Pelath said. "I need to understand who made this decision, and why." 

IDEM officials weren't available for comment late Tuesday. A new waste water
discharge permit approved last month by state and federal regulators will
allow the refinery to increase daily ammonia output 54 percent and release
35 percent more sludge as it moves ahead with a $3.8 billion plant expansion
expected to create 80 jobs.

Pelath also wants answers about the $485 million Horseshoe Casino expansion
that is expected to bring 450 jobs to Hammond.

Pelath, whose constituent base includes Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City,
long has argued that the Indiana Gaming Commission might have overstepped
its bounds in granting preliminary expansion approvals for Horseshoe and a
southern Indiana casino. The commission since has finalized construction
rules that Horseshoe officials say will force no changes in their
construction plans.

 

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