https://mirror.triblive.com/local/regional/shell-issued-violation-notice-for-exceeding-emission-limits-during-startup-of-beaver-county-cracker-plant/
Shell issued violation notice for exceeding emission limits during startup of Beaver County cracker plant
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violation against Shell’s multibillion-dollar ethane cracker plant in Beaver County, which became fully operational last month.
Shell was hit with the violation notice on Wednesday after the DEP said it exceeded the emission standards set between the company and the DEP. The cracker plant is a large facility on the Ohio River near Monaca that refines natural gas into plastic pellets. It is one of the nation’s largest petrochemical facilities.
The cracker plant is regulated on its emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other contaminants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
The DEP said Shell’s air quality plan states that the facility’s VOC emissions shall not equal or exceed 516.2 tons in a 12-month period.
On Nov. 7, Shell reported emission data showing VOC emissions reached 521.6 tons for a 12-month period ending in September 2022. Those emissions increased for the next period, with VOC emissions reaching 662.9 tons for the 12-month period ending in October 2022.
The readings were taken during the startup of the cracker plant.
In a statement, Shell said several factors contributed to the “additional flaring” that occurred during startup and were related to bringing complex systems online for such a large construction project.
However, Shell acknowledged the emissions and called them unacceptable. The company said it will continue to work to comply with regulations.
“Though flaring acts as a contingency to combust gases before they enter the atmosphere, no violation is acceptable,” said Shell.
On Nov. 28, Beaver County residents reported an orange glow in the sky that appeared to be emanating from the cracker plant. On its Facebook page, Shell reported an issue with the plant’s steam generator that “resulted in flaring in the site’s ground-flare system.”
Even from miles away, the orange glow seen in the sky around Beaver County's cracker plant was ominous. Neighbors speak out about their concerns for the health of their community and families - https://t.co/BRhjqcHsd2 via @KDKA @bcmac_ #EyesOnShell pic.twitter.com/vErHmKIczv— Pennsylvania Moms (@CleanAirMoms_PA) December 1, 2022
This incident occurred three weeks after Shell emission data was sent to the DEP.
The DEP also reported that Shell data showed increases of other air contaminants, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hazardous air pollutants from the plant, but they did not exceed the regulated limits.
As part of its investigation, the DEP has requested that Shell submit a description of its efforts to minimize flaring and a root cause analysis of the violations. Shell has 45 days to comply.
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