The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a notice of violation to Shell Chemicals Appalachia LLC for exceeding its air pollutant limits after operations began at its ethane cracker near Pittsburgh.

Shell petchem

Shell started operations at the massive complex in November. DEP said emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) exceeded the limits of its air quality plan approval. The plan allows VOC emissions of less than 516.2 tons over a 12-month period. 

The agency said Shell submitted data showing that 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. 

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