To provide information to the public, answer questions and take formal testimony on Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC’s Air Quality Plan Approval request for its proposed ethane plant in Beaver County, the Department of Environmental Protection will hold a question-and-answer session followed by a public hearing on May 5.

The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at Central Valley High School Auditorium, 160 Baker Road Extension, Monaca.

This is the first permit application from Shell to be considered by DEP for the proposed construction of a petrochemicals complex that will, when complete, crack ethane and manufacture polyethylene pellets for use in the plastics industry.

The proposed Shell complex  would be located on the site formerly occupied by Horsehead Corporation’s Monaca Zinc Smelter in Potter Township, Beaver County.

The Plan Approval application was submitted to DEP on May 1, 2014, and has undergone a thorough technical review by DEP’s Bureau of Air Quality.

Representatives from Shell and the DEP will make presentations explaining the permit application and review process. The presentations will be followed by an open question-and- answer session. At the conclusion of the question-and-answer portion, a formal public hearing will be held.

Attendees can present testimony in the form of comments, statements or questions. All testimony presented will be part of the administrative record. DEP will respond in a written comment and response document.

Those wishing to provide testimony at the public hearing should register in advance by calling DEP Community Relations Coordinator John Poister at 412-442-4203 before noon on May 5.

There will be an opportunity to register at the door before the hearing. There is no need to register for the question-and-answer portion which precedes the hearing.

More details in the proposed permits are available in the formal March 28 PA Bulletin notice (PA Bulletin page 1518).

NewsClip: DEP Holds Hearing On Air Permit For Shell Ethane Plant

4/6/2015