The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 25 PA Bulletin extending the three temporary Air Quality Construction Permits for the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Potter and Center Townships, Beaver County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2895)

DEP said Shell applied for the extensions on March 7 and without the extension the permits would have expired on April 28, 2024.

Under the justification for the extension in the applications, Shell said "additional time is necessary to complete full commissioning of the air sources and controls, including required emission testing" authorized under its temporary permits.

"While construction activities are now complete, emission testing of the remaining sources and air cleaning devices are anticipated through the first half of 2024 per our current schedule.  Temporary operation of specific air sources and controls for final shakedown purposes is also expected to occur during this time period."

"Shell is required to request extension of the plan approvals until the Title V Operating Permit is issued." 

"We are requesting an extension of the 180-day shakedown period to continue temporary operation of sources that have commenced operation and for continued commissioning and emission testing activities of the remaining permitted sources and air cleaning devices."

Lauren Camarda, DEP Southwest Regional Office Communications Manager, confirmed, "The extension allows Shell to continue temporary operation and shakedown at the facility."

[March 7, 2024 Plan Approval Extension Applications-- Permit A, Permit B, Permit C]

Submission Of Full Title V

On February 22, 2024, DEP issued a letter to the Shell Petrochemical Plant directing the facility to submit a Title V Operating Permit application within 120 days-- by June 21.  Read more here.

Shell said in its March 7 applications for permit extensions-- “Shell is preparing the [Title V] application for submittal by this deadline.”

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

Resource Link:

-- DEP Notified Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County It Can No Longer Operate Under An Air Quality Construction Permit And Has 120 Days To Submit A Full Title V Air Quality Permit Application  [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Group Against Smog & Pollution Report Finds Allegheny County Health Dept. Air Quality Permit Backlog Getting Worse; DEP Making Progress  [PaEN]

-- DEP Extends Temporary Air Quality Permits For Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County; Shell Said It Will Submit Full Title V Air Permit Application By June 21 Deadline  [PaEN] 

-- EPA Awards $55.7 Million In Rebates To 21 School Districts For Clean School Buses In Pennsylvania  [PaEN]

-- Protect PT Hosts 4 Virtual Workshops On How To Protect Yourself If You Live Near Shale Gas Facilities Starting June 11 [PaEN]

-- Evangelical Environmental Network, Partners Host June 5 Webinar On Pipeline Methane Leaks - Causes, Impacts, Solutions  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Inquirer Editorial: Philadelphia’s Black Communities Would Suffer Most From Weakened Air Pollution Rules

-- Post-Gazette: New Clean Energy School Buses Coming To Pittsburgh-Area School Districts

[Posted: May 29, 2024]

6/3/2024