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DEP Issues Three More Air Quality Violations To Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County Related To Emergency Flaring, Exceeding 12-Month Air Pollution Limits

On April 3 and 6, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a total of three more Air Quality notices of violation to the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County.

The violations included--

-- April 3: Violations related to emergency flaring operations on February 13 included visible emissions (incomplete combustion) were observed. Shell's Air Quality Permit does not allow visible emissions for more than five minutes during any two consecutive hours. Click Here for a copy of the violation.

-- April 6: A report submitted by Shell for the 12-month period ending January 2023 resulted in a violation of Shell's annual total emission limit of 328.5 tons of nitrogen oxides. Shell reported emissions of 370.688 tons. DEP noted Shell did not justify the method used to calculate Volatile Organic Compound emissions from emergency flaring operations and reserved the right to address any 12-month exceedences in a supplemental notice of violation. Click Here for a copy of the violation.

-- April 6: A report submitted by Shell for the 12-month period ending February 2023 resulted in a violation of Shell's annual total emission limit of 328.5 tons of nitrogen oxides. Shell reported emissions of 393.595. Shell also violated its 12-month emission limit for carbon monoxide-- 393.595-- by reporting 1,060.320 tons. DEP noted Shell did not justify the method used to calculate Volatile Organic Compound emissions from emergency flaring operations and reserved the right to address any 12-month exceedences in a supplemental notice of violation. Click Here for a copy of the violation.

The most recent emergency flaring event started March 16 and has been continuous since then with Shell having to use hoses to spray the ground flare with water to cool it down. Read more here.

The Shell Petrochemical Plant has received a total of 11 Air Quality violations and two Water Quality violations since July, 2022.

Visit DEP’s Shell Petrochemical Plant webpage for more information.

“Shell's repeated pollution releases due to malfunctions demonstrates that self-regulation does not protect people living in surrounding communities like mine. The NOVs are an important first step to hold Shell accountable. But the impact that harmful pollution has on our health, especially that of our children and vulnerable populations, continues repeatedly with each malfunction. The PADEP should not let the Shell petrochemical facility operate while racking up violations and releasing pollution,” said Rachel Meyer, Ohio River Valley Field Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force.

“The massive February 13th flaring event took place just 10 days after the Norfolk Southern train derailment 3 miles from my home,” said Hilary Flint, Beaver County resident. “I evacuated one toxic petrochemical disaster just to be on the frontlines of yet another toxic petrochemical incident from the Shell facility. From Norfolk Southern to Shell, we deserve transparent and real-time information about what pollution is being dumped on our communities. The PADEP must do more to hold these polluters accountable.”

“Shell’s ongoing illegal air pollution emphasizes the need for Shell to be transparent with its data,” said Dr. Clifford Lau former Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Duquesne University, RMU, LRU, and CCAC . “Impacted communities deserve real-time information about what is coming out of the plant. DEP and Shell must efficiently provide monitoring, testing, and malfunction data in usable forms to the public.”

As the Shell facility continues to malfunction, flare, and receive NOVs, Eyes On Shell urges impacted residents to watchdog the facility and submit observations, reports or questions via email to: eyesonshell@gmail.com, community hotline (724-923-3244) or Twitter.

[Note: Residents should file complaints with DEP by calling 800-541-2050 or DEP’s Southwest Regional Office at 412-442-4000 or by using the online complaint form.]

[Note: Eyes On Shell said it was continuing to receive reports of a burning plastic and chemical smell near the Shell Petrochemical Plant on the morning of April 12.]

(Photo: Emergency flaring on March 13 courtesy of Breathe Project.)

NewsClips This Week:

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Shell Petrochemical Plant Receives 3 Notices Of Violations From DEP In April

-- Beaver County Times: Strong Hydrocarbon Odors, Pollution Leave Residents Uneasy After Releases At Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County

-- KDKA: Shell Says It’s Working To Eliminate What’s Causing A Putrid Smell From Beaver County Petrochemical Plant

-- WTAE: Residents Voice Concerns About Strong Odor Near Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County

-- Post-Gazette: DEP Investigating Stink At Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: DEP Investigating Odor Event From Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County

Related Articles - Shell:

-- Shell Petrochemical Plant Had 3-Hour Emergency Flaring Event To Burn Off Flammable Gases In Beaver County

-- Guest Essay: Shell Petrochemical Plant Off To A Bad- And Dangerous- Start In Beaver County

-- Moms Clean Air Force: Strong Proposed EPA Petrochemical Plant Rules Are One Step Closer To Reality; Shell Petrochemical Plant Covered By Separate Proposed Rule