City of Whiting increases environmental efforts through partnerships

WHITING, Ind. – The City of Whiting, Indiana, with the assistance of South Shore Clean Cities Inc., a nonprofit organization sponsored through a U.S. Department of Energy program, and the BP-Cleaner Air through Diesel Emission Reductions Program will hold a news conference to announce new environmental efforts at 9 a.m. CST Monday (April 18) at Whiting City Hall, 1443 119th St.

"The City of Whiting makes a conscious effort to pursue projects that improve both the quality of life and the environment for our residents and surrounding communities," said Joseph Stahura, Whiting's mayor. "We are honored to be recognized as a 'Green Community' by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and a 'Clean Community' by Indiana Department of Environmental Management.” 

The BP-Cleaner Air through Diesel Emission Reductions Program is funded through South Shore Clean Cities and BP to educate fleets, elected officials and the general public on petroleum reduction, alternative fuels and air quality benefits. The program provided up to $450,000 in total funding through a competitive grant process for qualified projects that reduce diesel emissions.

The program is a collaboration between BP Whiting Refinery and several environmental groups including South Shore Clean Cities, the Sierra Club, Save the Dunes, Natural Resources Defense Council, Hoosier Environmental Council, Environmental and Policy Center, Environmental Integrity Project and private citizens.

For more information on the news conference, please contact Mark Harbin at 219-659-7700.

About South Shore Clean Cities Inc.

Designated as the 71st Clean Cities Coalition, South Shore Clean Cities Inc. was founded on the principle that motivated individuals working together for common goals best accomplish our nation's objectives. In almost 100 coalitions, government agencies and private companies voluntarily form partnerships that meet the objectives of improving air quality, developing regional economic opportunities and reducing the use of imported oil. South Shore Clean Cities is a subsidiary of Legacy Environmental, which is based in the Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana. 

Source: Carl Lisek, 219-644-3690, clisek@southshorecleancities.org