Shell Faces Federal Lawsuit for Air Pollution as Flaring and Waste Water Issues Lead to Shutdown

US: Shell's petrochemical refinery located near Pittsburgh has been experiencing multiple operational issues since it began operations in November 2022. The facility has been the subject of numerous complaints from residents due to unpleasant odors emanating from the plant, and Shell is currently facing a lawsuit related to environmental concerns. Additionally, the refinery is presently shut down for maintenance, and according to a Shell spokesperson, it will remain in a state of shutdown for a few more weeks.

A new $6 billion facility has been successfully launched in the northeastern United States. The facility utilizes Ethane extracted from the Marcellus Shale Natural gas reservoir to "crack" and produce Polyethylene (PE). This marks the first major PE manufacturing complex in the region and is strategically located within a 700-mile radius of 70% of the US Polyethylene market, making it a highly advantageous operation.

Shell has been accused of repeatedly exceeding permitted air pollution limits by the Clean Air Council and Environmental Integrity Project in a federal lawsuit filed last week. The lawsuit demands a stop to the unauthorized emission of smog-forming pollutants and seeks civil penalties amounting up to $140,000 per day.

Residents in the area around the cracker were alarmed when a noxious smell engulfed the locality in early April. Shell has confirmed that although Benzene was detected at the fence line of the facility, it was below hazardous levels and did not pose any risk of discomfort or irritation. The plant's current closure does not have a definite end date, but Shell has assured that it will only be a matter of weeks before it resumes operations. By the second half of the year, the plant is expected to produce 3.5 billion pounds of PE annually if no new issues arise.