DEP intends to issue Air Quality Plan Approval for the Ethylene Maximum Achievable Control Technology (EMACT) Project, the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Permanent Controls Project, and the Plan Approval Reconciliations at the Shell Polymers Monaca site.
The EMACT Project is to comply with the revised requirements of 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart YY for pressure-assisted multi-point flares.
The WWTP Permanent Controls Project is for the installation of permanent equipment in the primary treatment section of the WWTP at SPM to improve the oils, grease, and VOC removal efficiency of the primary treatment section of SPM’s WWTP.
The Plan Approval Reconciliations are to update specific plan approval source descriptions, potential to emit calculations, and plan approval conditions after commissioning of SPM’s operations and completing a review of the facility’s as-built equipment and operations with the source inventory, potential to emit calculations, and conditions included in or referenced by PA-04-00740A, PA-04-00740B, and PA-04-00740C.
March 19 Meeting
The public meeting will be held at the Penn State Beaver Auditorium, 100 University Drive in Monaca from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
At the meeting, the public will have an opportunity to learn about this proposed Air Quality Plan Approval and to ask questions concerning it.
April 7 Hearing
The hearing will be held at the Penn State Beaver Auditorium, 100 University Drive in Monaca from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Anyone wishing to present testimony should contact Emily Green, Southwest Environmental Justice Coordinator, emgreen@pa.gov or 412-442-4042, no less than 24 hours in advance of the public hearing to reserve a time to present testimony.
Comments
Any person wishing to provide the Department with additional information, which they believe should be considered prior to the issuance of this plan approval, may submit the information via e-mail to asandy@pa.gov or in writing to Department of Environmental Protection, Attn: Alexander Sandy, Air Quality Engineering Specialist, Air Quality Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Comments received by the Department no later than 10 days after the public hearing will be considered.
Review Application
All pertinent documents related to the Air Quality Plan Approval are available on the DEP Shell Facility Information webpage under Proposed Plan Approval PA-04-00740D.
The documents are also available for in-person public review between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Appointments for scheduling a review of the application can be made online or by contacting the Department's Southwest Regional Office at 412-442-4000.
Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information. (PA Bulletin, page 922 to 924). (PA Bulletin, page 964 to 967)
Title V Air Quality Permit Application
In a separate action, Shell submitted an application for the first Title V Air Quality permit for the Shell Petrochemical Plant on June 19, 2024 and DEP accepted the application as administratively complete on July 2, 2024. Read more here.
DEP is still reviewing the application.
On December 18, 2024 DEP said the agency will review the Shell Petrochemical Plant Title V Air Quality Permit application under the “enhanced public participation process” established in its Environmental Justice Policy holding local stakeholder meetings, one or more public meetings and a hearing. Read more here.
DEP finalized the Environmental Justice Policy on January 3, 2026. Read more here.
DEP has been temporarily extending the three existing Air Quality Plan Approvals covering the facility until the Title V permit is issued.
DEP’s last extension of these permits was on October 25, 2025 and they expire April 28, 2026. Read more here.
For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website. Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
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[Posted: February 18, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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