[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) today made the following statement in response to the announcement by BP America that they have reversed their decision to dump more ammonia and solids into Lake Michigan at their Indiana Whiting Refinery:

“This is the news we have been waiting for – a watershed moment for Lake Michigan.  Today, BP America announced that they will not increase dumping in our lake.  They realized a good business decision is a good environmental decision.

“The people of Chicago and every person who spoke out against the dumping had their voices heard.  We sent a message to BP that the pollution of one of our national treasures will not be tolerated.  Together, we put pressure on a company to do what is right and they responded.

“This summer, we brought BP to the table and asked them to stop plans to dump more pollution into the Lake.  We made it clear that if they didn’t work to preserve and protect Lake Michigan, they were in for a battle.   This morning, we spoke with Bob Malone, Chairman and President of BP America, and he assured us that BP is going to explore what we have urged all along – how to expand economic opportunity while protecting the environment and we applaud BP for doing that. 

“Today’s decision should be commended and should serve as an example of how the efforts of ordinary citizens can make a difference.”