What concerns do Beaver County residents have about the Shell plant's air permit certification?

Beaver County residents are deeply concerned that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is rushing to certify the Shell plastics plant's air permit as meeting federal ozone pollution standards, despite the plant's history of air quality violations and ongoing issues with the local community.

How does the Shell plant's air quality record compare to federal ozone standards?

The article states that Beaver County remains designated as a nonattainment area for ozone under the 2015 federal standard, meaning the region's air quality still fails to meet the health-based limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This indicates the Shell plant's emissions are contributing to ongoing challenges in controlling smog-related pollution.

What actions are Beaver County residents taking in response to the air permit certification?

Beaver County residents are demanding accountability and insisting that regulators fully examine the Shell plant's record of violations, equipment malfunctions, and community impacts before granting federal certification. They are submitting public comments to the DEP and questioning why the public hearing was held in a different county during work hours.

Home / Environment / Beaver County Residents Demand Accountability for Shell Plant's Air Pollution Violations

Beaver County Residents Demand Accountability for Shell Plant's Air Pollution Violations

8 Nov

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Summary

Shell plant's air permit to be certified despite repeated air quality violations
Beaver County remains in ozone pollution non-attainment area
Residents report ongoing issues with flaring, odors, and air quality since plant opened

Beaver County Residents Demand Accountability for Shell Plant's Air Pollution Violations

In a concerning move, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently announced plans to certify the air permit for Shell's plastics plant in Beaver County as meeting federal "reasonably available control technology" (RACT) requirements for ozone pollution. This certification, published in the Oct. 4 Pennsylvania Bulletin, claims Shell's permit already contains the necessary controls to meet the 2015 Clean Air Act ozone standards.

However, the plant's record of dozens of notices of violation, including rolling 12-month exceedances of nitrogen oxides (NOx), suggests otherwise. Beaver County residents living near the Shell facility have endured repeated flaring events, strong chemical odors, and ongoing air quality issues since the plant began operations.