DEP reviewed a plan approval application—that was later modified—for the construction and initial operation of the facility. DEP’s review is highly technical and complex, requiring reviews and modeling by engineers, meteorologists and other environmental professionals in DEP’s Southwest Regional Office and Harrisburg Central Office. After a thorough and complete review of the application and determination that the proposed activity can be done in a manner that complies with applicable rules and regulations—including the health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standards—DEP generates a proposed plan approval that includes specific conditions, including monitoring and reporting.
What’s New:
On August 17, 2022, DEP received extension requests for air quality plan approvals 04-00740A, 04-00740B, and 04-00740C submitted by Shell.
On September 15, 2022, DEP approved the air quality plan approval extension requests for 180 days.
Section B, Condition #012 of Air Quality Plan Approval 04-00470C requires Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC (Shell) to submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP) which meets the requirements of Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, 40 CFR Part 68 and the Federal Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act when a regulated substance listed in 40 CFR §68.130 is present in a process in more than the listed threshold quantity at the facility. The RMP is required to be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
On August 31, 2022, Shell submitted a letter notifying DEP that it submitted the RMP to EPA on April 6, 2022. Information on the RMP Rule and accessing RMP information is available on EPA’s website.
On February 18, 2021, DEP approved plan approval modifications
04-00740B and
04-00740C and
In response to comments received to date, DEP accepted written comments on draft plan approvals
04-00740B and
04-00740C until Nov. 16, 2020.
On December 18, 2019, Shell submitted a plan approval modification application for
04-00740B. Public notice of DEP’s draft plan approval was published in the October 3, 2020 edition of the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
More info (begins on page 5503).
On February 14, 2020, Shell submitted a plan approval modification application for
04-00740C. Public notice of DEP’s draft plan approval was published in the October 3, 2020 edition of the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
More info (begins on page 5504).
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Proposed Plan Approval 04-00740C – September 25, 2020 (PDF)
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Review Memo 04-00740C – September 22, 2020 (PDF)
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Summary of Revised Air Dispersion Modeling for Inhalation Risk Assessment – September 21, 2020 (PDF)
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As Built Air Quality Modeling and Inhalation Risk Evaluation – September 21, 2020 (PDF)
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Summary of Revised Air Quality Analyses for Prevention of Significant Deterioration – September 21, 2020 (PDF)
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Cover Letter for Submittal of Additional Information – September 3, 2020 (PDF)
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Attachment A-C Submittal [REDACTED] – September 3, 2020 (PDF)
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Flare Minimization Plan [REDACTED] – September 2020 (PDF)
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Cover Letter for Submittal of Additional Information – April 24, 2020 (PDF)
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Enclosure 1-5 Submittal [REDACTED] – April 24, 2020 (PDF)
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Plan Approval Application [REDACTED] – February 14, 2020 (PDF)
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Plan Approval Modification Comment and Response Document 04-00740A – December 30, 2016 (PDF)
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Air Quality Plan Approval Modification 04-00740A – December 30, 2016 (PDF)
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Proposed Plan Approval Modification 04-00740A – November 3, 2016 (PDF)
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Modification Review Memo 04-00740A – October 31, 2016 (PDF)
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Supplemental Interprecursor Trading Request – August 15, 2016 (PDF)
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Plan Approval Modification Application – April 11, 2016 (PDF)
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Air Quality Plan Approval – June 18, 2015 (PDF)
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Plan Approval Comment and Response Document – June 18, 2015 (PDF)
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Air Quality Modeling and Inhalation Risk Evaluation – March 19, 2015 (PDF)
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Air Dispersion Modeling for Inhalation Risk Assessment – March 19, 2015 (PDF)
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Air Quality Analysis for Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) – March 19, 2015 (PDF)
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Review Memo – April 1, 2015 (PDF)
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Proposed Plan Approval – March 30, 2015 (PDF)
NPDES Permit PA0002208, issued in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act and Pennsylvania Clean Stream’s Law, establishes limits on what can be discharged, monitoring and reporting requirements, and other provisions to ensure that wastewater discharges from Shell’s facility do not pose a threat to public health or the environment.
What’s New:
On February 24, 2021, DEP approved NPDES renewal permit PA0002208.
On September 5, 2019, Shell submitted a renewal application for NPDES permit PA0002208. Public notice of DEP’s draft permit renewal was published in the August 8, 2020 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
More info (begins on page 4045).
On August 17, 2018, DEP issued the final NPDES permit PA0002208 Amendment 2 (A-2).
On June 23, 2017, DEP issued the final NPDES permit PA0002208 Amendment 1 (A-1). This followed a public comment period and public hearing on the draft permit PA0002208 A-1 published September 3, 2016.
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Final - NPDES Permit PA0002208 A-1 (PDF)
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Final – Fact Sheet Addendum and Comment Response Document for PA0002208 A-1 (PDF)
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Shell Comment Addendum on Draft NPDES Permit A-1 – May 10, 2017 (PDF)
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EIP et al Comments on Draft NPDES Permit A-1 – December 26, 2016 (PDF)
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Louise Loncar Comments on Draft NPDES Permit A-1 – December 22, 2016 (PDF)
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Public Hearing Transcript – December 15, 2016 (PDF)
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Testimony Documents 1 – December 15, 2016 (PDF)
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Testimony Documents 2 – December 15, 2016 (PDF)
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EIP et al Comments on Draft NPDES Permit A-1 – October 18, 2016 (PDF)
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Shell Comments on Draft NPDES Permit A-1 – October 17, 2016 (PDF)
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Draft - NPDES Permit PA0002208 A-1 – September 3, 2016 (PDF)
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Draft - Public Notice for PA0002208 A-1 – September 3, 2016 (PDF)
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Draft - Cover Letter for PA0002208 A-1 – August 25, 2016 (PDF)
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Draft - Fact Sheet for PA0002208 A-1 – August 19, 2016 (PDF)
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Supplemental Application Material NPDES Amendment Application February – August 2016
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Shell NPDES Submitted and Updated Amendment Application – November 9, 2015 (PDF)
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NPDES Permit PA0002208 For Storm Water Discharge – July 1, 2015 (PDF)
This permit authorizes water discharged from the hydrostatic testing of tanks and pipelines.
This permit authorizes the construction of an obstruction or encroachment in a waterway or wetland.
As part of the construction of petrochemical complex, Shell is remediating the contaminated former Horsehead Corporation zinc smelter property under the Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling (Act 2) program. Shell has submitted and DEP has approved a remedial investigation report, risk assessment, and cleanup plan under the Act 2 program. Shell is currently completing groundwater attainment monitoring and then will submit a final report. Pursuant to the Cleanup Plan, Shell has covered most of the site with clean fill and has installed a synthetic cap over previous disposal areas on the property to prevent contact with any contaminated soils. Shell has collected all potentially contaminated storm water during construction and treated it prior to discharge under its NPDES permit. Groundwater use at the site will be restricted under an environmental covenant following completion of Act 2.
For more information on the Act 2 process, visit DEP's Land Recycling Program page.