DEP Pointed Feds to Whistleblower Complaints About Shell Pipeline Reid FrazierMarch 18, 2021 The complaint alleges that defective corrosion coatings were used on the Falcone pipeline that will feed Shell's ethane cracker in Beaver County. EnergyFollow the PipelineThe Coming Chemical BoomYour Environment Update
In the Ohio River Valley, the Petrochemical Boom Is on Hold Reid FrazierDecember 31, 2020 Has the pandemic and other economic woes made the plastics boom a bust? Some in the community are hopeful it will still come to the region. CoronavirusEconomyEnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom
Proposed Ohio Cracker Secures Ethane from Range Resources Julie GrantSeptember 24, 2020 Range would only supply a fifth of what the plant would need. An industry analyst says the region would need to produce more ethane to support a second cracker. EnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom
Enviro Groups Challenge EPA’s New Air Rule for Ethane Crackers Julie GrantSeptember 18, 2020 Groups say the new rules don't protect the public from harmful emissions from these plants and allow too many loopholes for industry. EnergyHealthPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom
Shell Putting COVID Testing Site at Its Beaver County Cracker Reid FrazierJuly 17, 2020 Workers will be tested and get results within four hours. Five workers tested positive in the last week. CoronavirusEnergy
Wolf, Legislature Draw Closer to More Natural Gas Tax Breaks Rachel McDevittJuly 15, 2020 Lawmakers say Wolf has agreed to a compromise measure to incentivize the use of natural gas in fertilizer and petrochemical manufacturing. EnergyPoliticsThe Coming Chemical Boom
Investor Pulls Out of Proposed Ohio Cracker Plant Brittany PattersonJuly 14, 2020 Still, PTTGC America says building the cracker plant - 65 miles southwest of Pittsburgh - remains a top priority. EconomyEnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom
U.S. Department of Energy Touts Petrochemicals, Puts Money into Coal ‘Innovation’ Grants Reid FrazierJuly 2, 2020 DOE says Appalachia's future for coal and petrochemicals is rosy and is investing in research to find new uses for coal. EconomyEnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom
Ever Hear of a Nurdle? This New Form of Pollution Could be Coming to the Ohio River Julie GrantMay 1, 2020 Plastic pellets can escape petrochemical plants like the one Shell is building in Beaver County, Pa. Is the Ohio Valley ready? Good RiverPollutionWater
Decision to Build Ohio Cracker Plant on Hold Due to Pandemic Julie GrantApril 30, 2020 The decision was supposed to come this summer. The company says the project is still a "top priority." CoronavirusEconomyEnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom