In western Pa., Shell flares burn bright after equipment malfunction at ethane cracker

Source: State Impact Pennsylvania

Excerpt:

Shell says its ethane cracker in Beaver County suffered an equipment malfunction Monday afternoon. The company flared gases at its plant Monday afternoon and evening.ย 

In December, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation against the company, after the plant exceeded its yearly allotment for pollution after only a few months in operation. The DEP said that most of those emissions were a result of flaring. 

Bob Schmetzer, of the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community, said he wants the state to do more to regulate the plant. 

โ€œItโ€™s very concerning and itโ€™s the whole Pittsburgh area,โ€ Schmetzer said. โ€œItโ€™s not just Beaver County, because whichever way the wind blows. Those toxic elements are, you know, traveling with it.โ€

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