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Friday, May 09, 2008
Environment - More on: Dangers in commencing construction before permit is final
Updating this ILB entry from May 8th, Gitte Laasby of the Gary Post-Tribune has more today on the BP sir permit.
Christine Kraly of the NWI Times also has a story, titled "Appeal to BP permit in the works?," and including this quote:
The Office of Environmental Adjudication's two environmental law judges review IDEM decisions.Judge Mary Davidsen said her office has not yet received any appeals to BP's construction permit and that appeals are considered filed on the date they are mailed.
Although no one has stepped forward yet, some groups may be preparing to do so.
"We are carefully considering an appeal," said Howard Learner, president and executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. "We, and our colleagues, are deciding whether and in what form to submit."
On the day the permit was approved, Ann Alexander, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said her group was "considering our options" in appealing.
The refinery may have to stop construction if a filed petition requests it be halted, Davidsen said. A hearing would likely be scheduled quickly to determine shuttering construction if such a request were made, she said.
If a permit appeal is successful, BP could be ordered to rip down what it has built, depending on its various environmental impacts, Davidsen added.
But Davidsen said breakdowns are rare, and facilities instead are ordered not to operate the equipment.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on May 9, 2008 02:18 PM
Posted to Environment