Senator Elder Vogel lauded today’s announcement of a public hearing on the Shell Cracker plant proposed for the former Horsehead Corporation’s Monaca Zinc Smelter in Potter Township, Beaver County. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a question-and-answer session followed by a public hearing beginning at 6 p.m. on May 5 in the Central Valley High School Auditorium, 160 Baker Road Extension, Monaca, PA 15061.
“This is an issue of vital importance to our community and I applaud the DEP for scheduling this session to update and hear from citizens on this proposal,” said Senator Vogel. “I would encourage everyone to attend this hearing and to provide their opinions on this major economic development plan.”
The hearing will focus on Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC’s Air Quality Plan Approval application. This is the first permit application from Shell to be considered by DEP for the proposed construction of a petrochemicals complex that will, when complete, crack ethane and manufacture polyethylene pellets for use in the plastics industry. The Plan Approval application was submitted to DEP on May 1, 2014, and has undergone a thorough technical review. Representatives from Shell and the DEP will make presentations at the hearing explaining the permit application and review process. The presentations will be followed by an open question-and- answer session.
Anyone wishing to provide testimony at the public hearing should register in advance by calling DEP Community Relations Coordinator John Poister at (412) 442-4203 before noon on May 5. There will be an opportunity to register at the door before the hearing.
CONTACT: Joe Weidner (724) 774-0444