PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP Issues Another Extension Of Air Quality Plan Approvals Allowing Temporary Operation Of The Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County; Title V Application Still Under Review Since July 2024

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the October 31 PA Bulletin announcing it has extended the three Air Quality Plan Approvals to allow the temporary operation of the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Center and Potter Townships, Beaver County until April 28, 2027. (PA Bulletin, page 7121)

The permits were due to expire on October 28, 2026. The plant began operating in November 2022.

The permits include PA-04-00740A, PA-04-00740 and PA-04-00740C.

DEP has been extending the Plan Approvals until a full Title V Air Quality permit can be put in place for the facility.

Shell submitted the Title V Air Quality permit application for the petrochemical plant on June 19, 2024 and DEP accepted the application as administratively complete on July 2, 2024. Read more here.

DEP has not yet completed its review of the Title V application or released a draft permit for public review.

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 Final Environmental Justice Policy holding local stakeholder meetings, one or more public meetings and a hearing. Read more here.

On October 3, DEP announced it issued a final Air Quality Plan Approval covering certain operations at the Petrochemical Plant including ethylene emissions and air pollution controls on ground flares, the wastewater treatment plant and as-built air pollution controls. Read more here.

For more information on this facility, visit DEP’s Shell Petrochemical Complex Facility Information webpage.

NewsClip:

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Shell In Deep Discussions About Selling Beaver County Petrochemical Plant; No Longer A Core Business For Shell

Resource Links:

-- DEP Publishes Formal Notice Announcing Issuance Of Shell Petrochemical Plant Air Quality Plan Approval For Beaver County Facility [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of Wastewater Permit For Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Shell Petrochemical Plant Pays Another $15 Million In Penalties For Latest Air Pollution Violations In Beaver County; Air Pollution Penalties Total $27.6 Million Since Plant Opened [PaEN]

-- PA Weekly Oil & Gas Compliance Snapshot - October 24 to 30

-- DEP: Fracking Fluid Hose Rupture Contaminates Range Resources Appalachia Shale Gas Pad, And Down The Well Pad Slope In Washington County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Release From Diversified Production LLC Conventional Contaminated Water Pipeline Pollutes Field In Indiana County [PaEN]

-- DEP Investigates Transfer Of Conventional Well Ownership, Finds Abandoned, Unplugged Well Leaking Gas 10 Feet From Apartment Building In Washington County [PaEN]