Penn State Erie to develop Shell ‘cracker’ business opportunities
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development recently selected Penn State Behrend in Erie as a lead partner for developing business and market opportunities created by the $6 billion Shell Chemicals ethane “cracker” plant in Beaver County, according to a Penn State news release.
The news release said the strength of Erie’s plastics industry and success of Behrend’s School of Engineering, which offers one of only six accredited U.S. plastics undergraduate programs, makes “Erie of particular interest to DCED.”
When it’s finished, Shell’s facility is expected to produce 3.5 billion pounds of polyethylene every year. Polyethylene is used in packaging, automotive parts, carpets and other products.
Learn more: Penn State > Penn State Behind will connect Erie companies to $6 billion energy project
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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.