BP Whiting shutdown: Michigan lifting some fuel rules after Indiana refinery fire

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an govt order Saturday lifting some guidelines on gas provide transportation in response to an Indiana oil refinery fireplace that would have an effect on provide and costs in some Midwestern states.

Whitmer’s order lifts caps and limits on the hours that motor carriers and drivers can drive if they’re carrying fuel and diesel. It additionally suspends some guidelines that may enable the state to entry its fall gasoline provide early, though that order is contingent on the U.S. Environmental Safety Company making comparable allowances, The Detroit Information reported.

BP mentioned its refinery in Whiting, Indiana, alongside Lake Michigan’s shoreline about 15 miles southeast of Chicago, skilled {an electrical} fireplace Wednesday. Nobody was harm, and the fireplace was put out, however it pressured not less than a part of the refinery to close down, in accordance with the corporate.

The refinery offers about 20% to 25% of the gasoline, jet gas and diesel utilized by Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois, Whitmer’s workplace mentioned.

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BP spokeswoman Christina Audisho mentioned the corporate was working with native and state businesses to “monitor the influence” and was nonetheless assessing when affected models can restart.

The hearth prompted the U.S. Federal Motor Provider Security Administration on Wednesday to declare a regional emergency within the 4 affected Midwestern states that additionally lifted driver limits.

Whitmer’s order stays in impact till Sept. 15 or via the “period of of the availability challenges.”