pollution showdown in NW Indiana

Something very important is happening in NW Indiana. BP is working feverishly to get a Clean Air Act permit for its Whiting refinery from Indiana's state environmental agency before deadlines make it much more difficult. After last summer's firestorm of publicity over the same facility's plan to increase its dumping of pollutants into Lake Michigan -- which forced the company to commit to following its corporate environmental PR principles of sustainability -- it's astonishing that Indiana officials appear less like regulators in the public interest than facilitators for pollution. Of course they would put it differently; they are trying to create a win-win for the public and the company, they'd say.

Another thing that's very important is happening in NW Indiana, too. A talented and unflinching journalist is asking hard questions about the state's treatment of and relationship with the company, and getting support from her editorial board. This same reporter unearthed the water pollution permit controversy last year. A little more journalism like this would contribute to saving the Great Lakes -- a public priority, not one belonging to any special interest.

In the end, BP has the resources to do whatever is reasonably required to protect the airshed as well as the watershed of the Great Lakes -- the only question is whether the State of Indiana has the will to require it -- or whether the public will be able to insist upon it.