Pa. DEP cites Shall cracker plant for emissions violations
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection cited Shell Chemicals Appalachia LLC for exceeding its emissions limits after operations began at its ethane cracker plant near Pittsburgh, according to Natural Gas Intelligence.
Shell’s complex commenced operations last month, however, its emissions of volatile organic compounds exceeded the limits of its air quality plan, according to the DEP. The air quality plan allows emissions of less than 516.2 tons over a 12-month period.
Shell submitted data to the DEP that showed for the one-year period ending in September, VOC emissions reached 521.6 tons. The data also showed that VOCs reached 662.9 tons for the period ending in October. Until September, the facility’s emissions were below its 12-month rolling limits.
Learn more: Natural Gas Intelligence > Pennsylvania Cites Shell Cracker for Emissions Violations Tied to Flaring
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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.