Rep. Bill Johnson tours Shell cracker plant
Monday, August 26, 2019
Congressman Bill Johnson recently visited Shell’s $6 billion cracker plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, according to 33 WYTV.
Following his tour last week, the congressman said he said the plant will have a huge impact on local energy needs. Additionally, he believes about 6,000 people could be working on the Monaca construction site by the end of the year.
Although the plant sits outside his district, Johnson believes the next one could be built in Belmont County, Ohio and could be much larger.
Learn more: 33 WYTV > Rep. Johnson says $6 billion ‘cracker plant’ could continually boost region’s economy
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.