PA Environment Digest Blog: Moms Clean Air Force: Strong Proposed EPA Petrochemical Plant Rules Are One Step Closer To Reality; Shell Petrochemical Plant Covered By Separate Proposed Rule

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Moms Clean Air Force: Strong Proposed EPA Petrochemical Plant Rules Are One Step Closer To Reality; Shell Petrochemical Plant Covered By Separate Proposed Rule

On April 6, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan released proposed standards for the chemical manufacturing sector to protect people from the hazardous air pollution emitted by more than 200 of the largest, most toxic chemical and plastic manufacturing facilities in the country with at least three located in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania plants include--

-- Croda Inc., Mill Hall, Clinton County

-- Montgomery Chem Ltd, Conshocken, Montgomery County

-- AdvanSix, Inc. Philadelphia

Shell Petrochemical Plant

On April 5, EPA issued another new proposed rule for public comment that covers the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County. Click Here for that proposed rule.

Among other changes, this proposed rule will remove the Startup, Shutdown, Malfunction exemptions for emergency flaring and for pressure relief devices.

The Shell Petrochemical Plant has had a series of malfunctions that resulted in multiple flaring events to burn off natural gas and other flammable gases since it began start up operations last September. Read more here.

The most recent flaring event started March 14 and has been continuous since then (as of April 6) with Shell having to use hoses to spray the ground flare with water to cool it down. Read more here.

Moms Clean Air Force Statement

The proposed regulation does not include the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County, according to Moms Clean Air Force.

In response to the proposal, Rachel Meyer, Ohio River Valley Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force, released the following statement--

“Moms Clean Air Force applauds this significant and consequential move by EPA Administrator Regan. The petrochemical industry releases an extraordinary amount of toxic air pollution–and has done so for generations, with cruel disregard for the devastating impacts on communities around their facilities.

“People have paid with their health. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution since their bodies are still developing and because they breathe in more air for their size compared to adults.

“Today’s announcement is an important step in what must become a comprehensive, rigorous and long-term approach to the scourge that is the petrochemical industry. Petrochemical facilities are commonly sited in communities that are impacted by multiple pollution sources contributing to a cumulative pollution burden and an elevated risk of asthma attacks, respiratory illness, neurological problems, adverse birth outcomes, and cancer.

“EPA has a fundamental duty to hold the petrochemical industry accountable and protect the health of people impacted by toxic pollution. There is no time to waste in tackling this glaring injustice.

“Stronger protections are especially urgent in light of the extensive and well documented history of non-compliance at these chemical manufacturing facilities.

“Of the 200 largest chemical manufacturing facilities around the country that would be covered by these standards, more than 50% are currently violating one or more of our nation’s environmental laws and more than 80% of facilities have been in noncompliance with some environmental laws in the past three years.

“Moms Clean Air Force is demanding the strongest safeguards to protect all people in front line communities–especially children–including the following components:

-- Strictly enforced fenceline monitoring capable of detecting all emissions that will reach families and communities

-- Increased flare efficiency and monitoring

-- Enhanced leak detection and repair protocols utilizing the most advanced technology available

-- Removal of ALL exemptions for startup, shutdown and malfunctions

-- Robust precedent-setting community risk assessments

-- Enhanced process controls

“Moms Clean Air Force will work with EPA to achieve the most durable, powerful and enforceable protections from petrochemical pollution for everyone.”

Click Here to read the complete statement.

(Photo: March 14 start of continuous flaring at Shell Petrochemical Plant that is still going on as of April 6 caught by Breathe Project.)

Resource Links:

-- EPA Proposes To Strengthen Standards For Chemical, Polymer Plants To Reduce Cancer Risks From Air Toxics

-- EPA Proposes To Strengthen Mercury And Air Toxics Standards For Coal-Fired Power Plants

NewsClips:

-- AP: EPA Tightens Mercury Emissions Limits At Coal Power Plants

-- Reuters: U.S. Proposes Tighter Mercury, Air Toxics Standards For Coal-Fired Power Plants

-- Moms Clean Air Force: Strong Petrochemical Rules Are One Step Closer To Reality With EPA Proposal, But More Safeguards Are Needed To Protect People Living Near Facilities

-- WTAE: U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke (Coal) Works Tops Allegheny County Polluters List

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: PennEnvironment Names Top 10 Industrial Pollution Sources In Allegheny County