Leaving Beaver County as Shell’s ethane cracker sets to open

Reid FrazierJuly 29, 2022

Some families have left or are planning to leave the area, fearing pollution from Shell's cracker plant and looking for better opportunities.

EnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom

Surveying the Ohio River for plastic nurdles, as Shell readies to open cracker

Julie GrantJune 10, 2022

Activists have teamed up with local scientists to find out how many pellets are in the river now, to know if the plant spills any after it opens.

EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical BoomWaterWild Pennsylvania

Activist looks ahead as Shell’s Beaver County ethane cracker goes online

Kara HolsoppleJune 10, 2022

Terrie Baumgardner never considered herself an activist. But after learning about Shell's plans to build a multi-billion dollar ethane cracker near her community, she was all in.

EnergyHealthPollutionThe Coming Chemical BoomYour Environment Update

In Beaver County, a mix of hope and fear over startup of Shell’s ethane cracker

Reid FrazierJune 10, 2022

The plant -- expected to open this summer -- has conjured hope for good jobs, and fears of a return of toxic skies and polluted waterways.

EconomyEnergyHealthPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom

Have a question about Shell’s ethane cracker? Ask us

The Allegheny FrontJune 10, 2022

Submit your questions about Shell's ethane cracker in Beaver County expected to open this summer.

EnergyYour Environment Update

Ohio regulators renew wastewater permit for proposed ethane cracker in Ohio

Julie GrantApril 1, 2022

The company proposing a second ethane cracker for the region hasn't made a final decision to move forward.

EnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom

Sulfuric acid spills from storage tank at Shell ethane cracker plant

Reid FrazierMarch 25, 2022

Faulty equipment is blamed for the 2,000-gallon spill which was contained on site. The plant is expected to come online later this year.

EnergyPollution

Environmental groups sue to invalidate permits for ethane storage project

Julie GrantOctober 29, 2021

The groups say the Ohio Department of Natural Resources did not do a detailed enough analysis on the project's impacts to drinking water.

EnergyThe Coming Chemical Boom

DEP cites Shell for ‘malodors’ outside cracker plant construction site

Reid FrazierSeptember 29, 2021

Residents said they smelled a sweet maple syrup odor for several days. DEP and Shell are still investigating the cause.

EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom

Appalachian Communities Talk Gas, Plastics, and Inequity with Federal Energy Officials 

Julie GrantAugust 25, 2021

The Department of Energy collected perspectives from Ohio Valley communities impacted by the ethane and petrochemical industries to include in a report to Congress.

EnergyEnvironmental JusticeThe Coming Chemical Boom