News
Shell Sued Over Air Emissions at Pennsylvania’s New Petrochemical Plant
Environmental groups say oil the giant exceeded legal limits on gas emissions and flaring and want the giant plastics manufacturing facility to shut down until it fully complies with state and federal law.
By Jon Hurdle
Two environmental groups sued Shell on Thursday, claiming that air emissions from its massive new petrochemical plant about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh repeatedly violated federal and state air-quality laws and far exceeded limits set in its operating permit. The plant officially opened in November 2022 after months of testing.
Related Knowledge Center: Air emissions
State of Play
More than 30 years after the last major update of the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Supreme Court has upended the ability of Congress to give the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies broad scope to combat air pollution, including the emission of greenhouse gases. Meanwhile, further Biden administration efforts to limit emissions face opposition in the courts.