Thursday, October 31, 2024

Environmental Groups File Notice Of Intent To Sue The Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County For Air Pollution Violations: Similar Action In 2023 Resulted In $10 Million Settlement

On October 23, 2024, the
Clean Air Council and the Environment Integrity Project filed a notice of intent to sue the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County for emitting particulate matter (PM 2.5) and nitrogen oxides in violation of the federal Clean Air Act, the state Air Pollution Control Act and the plant's permit.

"As of the date of this letter, neither EPA nor DEP have commenced a civil action in federal or state court, nor has DEP initiated litigation before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board" to require Shell Chemical to comply with air pollution regulations and its permit.

The notice of intent gives EPA and DEP 60 days to take some action before the groups file their action in federal court.

The groups said they will ask for "appropriate injunctive relief and civil penalties and to require a beneficial environmental project" in the areas directly impacted by the air pollution emissions.

Click Here for a copy of the letter.

Not The First Action

On February 2, 2023 and February 17, 2024, these same groups filed two notices of intent to sue the Shell Petrochemical Plant, again over air pollution violations.  On May 11, 2024, they filed the lawsuit in federal court.

On May 24, 2023, DEP signed a consent order with the Shell Petrochemical Plant that included $5 million in penalties and a $5 million community benefit project.  Read more here.

Visit DEP’s Shell Petrochemical Facility webpage for more information on DEP actions related to the Shell plant.

Resource Links:

-- DEP Extends Air Quality Permits For Temporary Operation Of Shell Petrochemical Plant; No Schedule Posted Yet For Considering Full Title V Air Quality Permit  [PaEN]

-- No Decision Posted Yet From DEP On Whether Flare Gas Chemical Makeup, Volume At Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County Is Confidential Business Information  [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week:

-- Penn State Study Finds Microplastics Increasing In Freshwater, Directly Related To Plastics Production  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Institute For Energy Economics & Financial Analysis: Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County 'Unlikely To Meet Financial Targets'

[Posted: October 31, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

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