DEP intends to issue Air Quality Plan Approval for the Ethylene Maximum Achievable Control Technology (EMACT) Project, the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Permanent Controls Project, and the Plan Approval Reconciliations at the Shell Polymers Monaca site.

The EMACT Project is to comply with the revised requirements of 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart YY for pressure-assisted multi-point flares.

The WWTP Permanent Controls Project is for the installation of permanent equipment in the primary treatment section of the WWTP at SPM to improve the oils, grease, and VOC removal efficiency of the primary treatment section of SPM’s WWTP.

The Plan Approval Reconciliations are to update specific plan approval source descriptions, potential to emit calculations, and plan approval conditions after commissioning of SPM’s operations and completing a review of the facility’s as-built equipment and operations with the source inventory, potential to emit calculations, and conditions included in or referenced by PA-04-00740A, PA-04-00740B, and PA-04-00740C.

March 19 Meeting

The public meeting will be held at the Penn State Beaver Auditorium, 100 University Drive in Monaca from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

At the meeting, the public will have an opportunity to learn about this proposed Air Quality Plan Approval and to ask questions concerning it.

April 7 Hearing

The hearing will be held at the Penn State Beaver Auditorium, 100 University Drive in Monaca from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Anyone wishing to present testimony should contact Emily Green, Southwest Environmental Justice Coordinator, emgreen@pa.gov or 412-442-4042, no less than 24 hours in advance of the public hearing to reserve a time to present testimony. 

Comments

Any person wishing to provide the Department with additional information, which they believe should be considered prior to the issuance of this plan approval, may submit the information via e-mail to asandy@pa.gov or in writing to Department of Environmental Protection, Attn: Alexander Sandy, Air Quality Engineering Specialist, Air Quality Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Comments received by the Department no later than 10 days after the public hearing will be considered.

Review Application

All pertinent documents related to the Air Quality Plan Approval are available on the DEP Shell Facility Information webpage under Proposed Plan Approval PA-04-00740D.

The documents are also available for in-person public review between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Appointments for scheduling a review of the application can be made online or by contacting the Department’s Southwest Regional Office at 412-442-4000.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information. (PA Bulletin, page 922 to 924)

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

[Posted: February 18, 2026]  PA Environment Digest