PITTSBURGH — News earlier this month that Shell Chemicals would buy an industrial site in Beaver County is a major step in the company’s plans to bring thousands of jobs to western Pennsylvania.
The purchase is necessary for some of the many, many permits that will be required before the project becomes a reality.
The planned facility is known as a “cracker plant” because it “cracks” ethane into smaller molecules. The facility would make a variety of plastic pellets that would then be shipped out to be made into a variety of plastic products.
After postponing the purchase three times, Shell finally decided Nov. 7 to exercise its option to purchase the Horsehead industrial site, which is more than 300 acres.
According to materials from Shell, the site selection process typically can take up to four years, and it can take another four between breaking ground and plant operation.
“We have not made a final decision but continue making progress,” said Barbara Blakely, who is part of the Shell leadership team for the project.
If Shell goes through with the project, it would involve more than just construction on the site itself. The plans currently include widening Pennsylvania Route 18 to six lanes during construction, then reducing the road back to four lanes when construction is completed.
The plans also call for moving the road about 900 feet farther away from the Ohio River and upgrading the nearby interchange with Interstate 376
Then there are the permits. Randy Armstrong is a senior environmental adviser for Shell and a nearly 40-year veteran with the company. He said that one time when he counted up the permits needed for the project, he got to about 130. These span an array of agencies.
John Poister, spokesman for the southwestern region of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, said the company had so far applied for one air-quality permit, which is very detailed, and will have to apply for more.