The Illinois House of Representatives is considering HR620, a resolution that would push for federal action against a plan by British Petroleum to increase the amount of pollution released into Lake Michigan. The Illinois Environmental Council, which worked with the House’s Environmental Caucus to write the resolution, supports its passage.

Sponsored by Rep. Patricia Bellock and nearly 20 co-sponsors, the resolution urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Congress to take action against an increase in discharged pollutants from the Whiting, Indiana British Petroleum refinery and give states remedies against other states that pollute shared waters.

The resolution notes that expansion would increase the refinery's discharges into Lake Michigan significantly, including 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge on a daily basis. City of Chicago officials, local residents and the U.S. House of Representatives have all come out against BP’s plans for the Whiting facility.

The resolution was approved by the Environmental Health Committee 11-3 on July 31st, and is awaiting action by the full House.