Lake Michigan

CHICAGO (Sept. 25, 2007) - Experts will discuss Lake Michigan and Great Lakes beaches at concurrent conferences in Traverse City, Mich., Oct. 3 to 5. Scientists and beach managers will present the latest research on sustainability and environmental issues affecting the lake, Grand Traverse Bay and Great Lakes beaches.    » read more »

August 23, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on the announcement that BP America will operate its Whiting refinery at lower waste limits in Lake Michigan, which borders Illinois’ shorelines. Last week, Obama called on Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to hold hearings to examine the agreement.    » read more »

Aug 23, 2007 -- "BP made a difficult business decision, one that means this project may not happen or be moved to another state.

I hope, along with everyone else, that someone discovers a new technology in the next year or so that enables BP to move ahead, meaning Hoosiers would get the benefits of this enormous investment -- at the job site and the gas pump.

If so, there would be absolutely no detectable difference in the water quality of Lake Michigan, but if public confidence were strengthened, that would be a plus.    » read more »

August 23, 2007 -- "I am encouraged by BP's statement that it has decided to end its plans to increase its disposal of waste into Lake Michigan. BP should follow through on its announcement by formally rejecting its new permit, and reapplying for a permit that allows no increase in pollution discharges.

I am pleased that the aggressive efforts of our working group – that included environmental groups, state agencies and the City of Chicago – sent a clear message that more pollution in Lake Michigan would not be tolerated under any circumstances.    » read more »

From the Shore of Lake Superior, Feingold Calls for an Immediate and Comprehensive Approach to Address Decreasing Water Levels

August 18, 2007 -- Port Wing, WI - During his Bayfield County listening session today in Port Wing, Wisconsin, located on the shores of Lake Superior, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced he will demand swift action to address the reported dramatic drop in water levels in the Great Lakes.    » read more »

August 16, 2007 -- LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced that his office successfully defended a Michigan law protecting the Great Lakes from further invasion by aquatic nuisance species. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Detroit by a group of shipping interests, sought to nullify a state law passed in 2005 requiring oceangoing ships to ensure that invasive fish and other aquatic organisms are not released from their ballast tanks. On August 15, the Court granted Cox's request to dismiss the lawsuit.    » read more »

Indiana-BP agreement suggests other states may face similar challenges with refinery discharges across borders

August 15, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent the following letter to Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA), requesting hearings to examine the recent agreement between the State of Indiana and the BP Whiting Refinery to allow increased pollution into Lake Michigan, which borders Illinois’ shorelines.    » read more »

INDIANAPOLIS (August 13, 2007) - Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has asked the former dean of the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, James Barnes, to spearhead a review of the state and federal laws about Great Lakes water quality and the state's process to implement those laws.    » read more »

July 16, 2007 -- [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to express his strong opposition to a permit that will allow BP’s Whiting refinery in Indiana to discharge more pollution into Lake Michigan.    » read more »