The application period starts January 4 and ends February 29.
A link to the application and more information can be found on DEP's Environmental Mitigation Community Fund webpage.
Background
The Beaver County Environmental Mitigation Community Fund steering committee has finalized a protocol implementation plan, which establishes the advisory board’s role in executing projects.
The implementation plan outlines how the advisory board is to review and recommend funding for projects, criteria for eligible applicants, the application timeline, project requirements, and selection criteria and process.
The plan also names The Pittsburgh Foundation as the trustee to manage and disburse the funds.
The advisory board has opened the call for applicants and begun public engagement to encourage applications.
“The $5 million Environmental Mitigation Community Fund is one of the largest funds of its kind in Pennsylvania history and a first of its kind for DEP. That is why we were very intentional and deliberative as we outlined the process forward,” said DEP Special Deputy Secretary for the Office of Environmental Justice, Fernando Treviño. “This has been a community-focused and community-driven process to ensure that money resulting from DEP’s enforcement of environmental violations at the Shell cracker plant is put back into the community to help mitigate harm.”
The $5 million Environmental Mitigation Community Fund was created as part of the consent order and agreement (COA) signed between DEP and Shell Chemicals Appalachia LLC.
Under the agreement, Shell formally acknowledged that the company exceeded total emission limitations for air contaminants, agreed to make repairs to reduce future exceedances, and agreed to pay nearly $10 million to DEP and the local community – including $5 million for environmental projects to benefit the local communities.
The Beaver County Environmental Mitigation Community Fund advisory board is made up of representatives of organizations serving Beaver County and those spearheading environmental justice within DEP that recommend community project applications for selection and award funding.
“Leaders from Beaver County have been involved in leading both the steering committee and the advisory board,” said Daniel Rossi-Keen, advisory board member of the Beaver County Environmental Mitigation Community Fund and Executive Director of RiverWise. “We are hopeful that these funds will enable both grassroots and more established organizations to deepen their agency in the future of the region, improving the lives, health, and environment for Beaver County residents.”
Applications
The application period for community projects to benefit the environment, health, and/or quality of life for communities in Beaver County will run from January 4, 2024 through February 29, 2024.
A link to the application and more information can be found on DEP's Environmental Mitigation Community Fund webpage.
There is no minimum or maximum funding level, so applicants may apply for funding at an amount appropriate for their project. If funds are still available, there may be more application periods opened and projects funded.
At least one project selected for funding should provide for regular, independent air quality testing in the vicinity of the facility.
Also, at least one selected project should focus on meaningful community education and engagement that fosters civic participation. Projects that meet this criteria are encouraged.
Eligible organizations must be classified as a 501(c)(3) or partner with one and be based in Beaver County or partner with a Beaver County-based organization.
Public Meetings
Through February, 2024, the advisory board will host two in-person public meetings, one virtual public meeting, two virtual question and answer sessions, and a weekly virtual office hours.
The virtual office hours will provide guidance and answer questions for prospective applicants.
Dates, times, locations or log-in details will be posted on DEP’s Environmental Mitigation Community Fund webpage..
Information on the community fund, permitting, and compliance information is available on DEP’s Shell Petrochemical Complex webpage.
Upcoming Event:
-- TODAY 7:30: Virtual. Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community - Eyes On Shell Webinar. 7:30 p.m. Click Here to register.
Related Articles - Shell Complex:
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Industry Compliance So Far In 2023 - It Isn’t Pretty [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - January 6 [PaEN]
-- DEP Disapproves Land Recycling Risk Assessment For Dozens Of Chemicals At American Refining Group Refinery In Bradford, McKean County [PaEN]
-- DEP Reviewing Act 2 Cleanup Reports For Trainer Refinery, Delaware County; Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 49 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In January 6 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP Accepting Project Applications For $5 Million Shell Petrochemical Plant Beaver County Environmental Mitigation Community Fund [PaEN]
-- Zefiro Methane Corp To Begin Monitoring Abandoned Conventional Wells For Plugging To Create Emission Offsets [PaEN]
-- Saga Continues For DEP Trying To Get A Conventional Operator To Plug Warren County Well Venting Gas Since At Least 2018 [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension To Host Jan. 18 Webinar On Unlocking The Power Of Hydrogen [PaEN]
-- PJM Urges United Action To Sustain Grid Reliability Through The Energy Transition, Avoid Unreliability Issues Of Natural Gas, Other Generators [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Bob Donnan Blog: Fracked Up Greene County Water - Shale Gas Operator Found Responsible For Water Supply Contamination
-- PennLive Guest Essay: Gov. Shapiro Has Done An About-Face On Fracking By Aligning Himself With CNX After Charging Them With Environmental Crimes - By Karen Elias, Climate Reality Project, Better Path Coalition
-- Bob Donnan Blog: Frack History - The Massive Dunkard Creek Fish Kill
-- Bob Donnan Blog: Dunkard Creek Fishkill In Greene County Caused By Consol Mine Discharge [Video]
-- TribLive Guest Essay: Celebrating EPA’s New Safeguards To Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil and Gas Facilities - By Vanessa Lynch, Moms Clean Air Force
-- TribLive: 4 Mile Long Diesel Fuel Spill Shuts Down Route 66 From Apollo To Vandergrift In Westmoreland County
-- Post-Gazette: Casey Says Proposed DOE Rule Could Hurt Efforts To Develop Hydrogen Industry In PA
-- The Allegheny Front: Proposed Federal Hydrogen Tax Credit Rules Could Be Worth Billions For Projects, Including Those In PA
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Diversified Energy Sells Unknown Number Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In PA, WV, OH
-- WSJ: Southwestern Energy, Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Producers Near $17 Billion Merger
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Peoples Natural Gas Asks Regulators For Rate Increases For All Customers
-- Reuters: US Natural Gas Producers Seek To Balance Production Cuts, Demand Rebound
-- Bloomberg: A No-Show Winter Is Upending The US Natural Gas Market Pulling Down Prices By About 35%
-- WSJ: US Shale Drillers Keeping World Awash In Oil, Natural Gas As Conflicts Abound
-- E&E News Energy Wire: 4 Oil And Gas Issues To Watch In 2024
[Posted: January 3, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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