The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation to Shell for emissions at its Beaver County cracker plant.
The department says volatile organic compounds exceeded limits during the startup of the facility in September and October.
DEP also says emissions data from Shell showed increases of other air contaminants in November.
“The total Volatile Organic Compounds emissions reached 521.6 tons and for the 12-month period ending in October 2022, VOC emissions reached 662.9 tons,” a release stated. “Until September 2022, the facility’s emissions were below its 12-month rolling limits for all air contaminants. These emissions are associated with initial startup of the facility.”
The department has asked Shell to submit a root cause analysis and a description of its efforts to minimize flaring.