LANSING, Ill. (January 24, 2024) – Some residents in Lansing and the surrounding area have recently been asking themselves, “What’s that smell?”
Described by many as a gas-like odor, the smell — which was first noticed last week — has caused some to take to social media to seek answers, while others have contacted Village departments, Nicor, and other entities to share their concerns.
BP tank leak, clean-up
In in email to The Lansing Journal on Wednesday, BP said a storage tank leak at its refinery in Whiting, Indiana last week is responsible for odors that have spread throughout the region.
The full statement from BP is included below:
On the afternoon of January 18, 2024, BP’s Whiting refinery experienced a leak from a storage tank at the refinery’s tank fields. As of early January 19, the leak was stopped and contained within the tank confinement area. Emergency response and operations crews immediately began cleanup efforts.
Notifications were made to required local and state regulatory entities. The refinery continues to operate normally.
We are aware that some in the surrounding communities may be experiencing odors while cleanup work at the tank confinement area is taking place. Operation crews are working around the clock to rapidly clean up the impacted area and are undertaking additional measures to try to mitigate the odors as they continue cleanup efforts.
Odor alerts and additional information
On Wednesday afternoon, the Village of Lansing sent out an alert through its CivicReady system, informing residents of the odor’s origin. The alert came six days after the Village sent an initial alert on the evening of January 18, the day of the leak. That alert had informed residents that the Village was aware of the odor, and had been in contact with Nicor about the concern.
According to a report from ABC7, “Nicor and BP said there is no danger to the community.”
ABC7 also reported, “Air monitoring equipment is in place, and contaminated soil and gravel is being removed. No chemicals went into Lake Michigan, BP said.”
