Tell Conoco-Phillips: We Want No Increases in Pollution
Some pollution issues are front page news in Chicago. Both BP and U.S. Steel have ignited a firestorm in the media and the public surrounding proposed increases in air and water pollution.
But there are many more refinery expansions in the Midwest that people aren’t talking about. We shouldn't allow them to quietly slip under the radar screen and create more pollution.
Conoco-Phillips is proposing to expand its massive oil refinery at Wood River, Illinois along the Mississippi River upstream from St. Louis. More chemicals dumped in the River. More pollution into the air that we breathe. More carbon dioxide causing global warming problems for everyone.
It shouldn't be that way. Conoco-Phillips proposes to increase its pollution in Illinois, but has already committed to offset its carbon dioxide pollution from expanding its oil refinery in California. Here in the Midwest, we're entitled to a cleaner, healthier environment, too.
The Midwest is not a dumping ground. Tell Conoco-Phillips that you want a commitment to no net increase in water pollution (just as BP is committing), no net increases in air pollution, and that all carbon dioxide pollution from the oil refinery expansion be offset to avoid worsening global warming problems.
Conoco: Make a difference. Do it better. Do the right thing for our environment and economy.
Full Petition Text:
The Midwest has become fertile ground for oil refinery expansions. However, several oil refineries in recent months, including Conoco-Phillips, demonstrated that expansion projects can be done with no net increases in water pollution, no net increases in air pollution, and no increases in CO2 pollution.
We need practical solutions to the economic and environmental challenges we face today. As an industry leader, we strongly urge you to continue balancing economic development, energy security, and environmental stewardship as your model.
The health of our rivers and streams is serious business. We cannot afford to continue to increase pollution to the detriment of our public health and environment.
The Midwest deserves clean air and waterways too. Keep your precedence of no net increases in refinery expansions.
Signed by:
[Your name]
[Your address]
