Whiting, Indiana, located just 2 miles from Chicago’s Southside, is home to the largest oil refinery in the US.

Whiting is under an incredible burden of pollution from the BP refinery, other industrial sources and vehicle traffic. The area is heavily industrialized with steel mills, chemical plants and toxic dumps.

High levels of air pollution have created an area that has the 8th highest risk of cancer in the US. Residents are 17 more likely to develop cancer than the national average.

Already one of the largest refineries in the United States, the BP Whiting refinery is seeking a $3.8 billion dollar tar sands expansion. This is the largest tar sands refinery expansion project in the country. Other refineries are watching this project as an indicator as to whether to proceed with their projects and what type of opposition that they may face.

Calumet Project in Hammond, Indiana, and GCM are leading the community and Environmental Justice campaign against the expansion through training in the bucket brigade methodology and legal action.