Pa. township approves Shell cracker plant
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Potter Township supervisors granted a conditional use permit for a $6 billion ethane cracker plant proposed by Shell Chemicals, according to the Associated Press.
The approval came with noise limits and the western Pennsylvania township’s promise to investigate any complaints of light pollution or traffic disruptions that could occur once construction begins in the next two years.
Before construction begins, Shell still requires environmental regulators to modify two pollution permits held by the property’s former owner, and federal permits. The company says the plant will create 6,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs once it opens.
Learn more: PennEnergy > Pennsylvania township OKs $6 billion ethane cracker plant
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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.