BP withdraws plan to build Hammond asphalt plant

HAMMOND, Ind. -- BP has withdrawn its plan to build a $110 million asphalt plant in Hammond as part of the $3.8 billion expansion of its refinery in the neighboring city of Whiting.

BP had been asking Hammond to let it build the plant on 65 acres the company owns. The city had set a list of 13 conditions BP had to meet to build the plant, including limits on traffic and air emissions

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said Wednesday he was "sort of relieved" to have the plant off the table.

BP spokesman Tom Keilman said he could not elaborate on the specifics about the withdrawal.

McDermott said he and city officials worried about possible environmental effects from the plant, prompted in part by studies he said he reviewed that show a correlation between asphalt plants and cancer.