Pipeline opposition to Shell Chemicals’ $6 billion ethane cracker plant in USA

By John Donovan

US local newspaper, The Beaver County Times has published several enthusiastic articles welcoming “Shell Chemicals’ $6 billion ethane cracker plant on the banks of the Ohio River” and all of the jobs that will be created.

Shell’s Corrib gas project in Ireland was welcomed on the same understandable basis by most of the Irish population.

There is another similarity; opposition on health and safety grounds to the laying of necessary pipelines.

Shell’s aggressive approach to the relatively few protestors at the beginning of the Corrib project built up resentment and significant determined opposition. Costs escalated out of control  and construction was delayed by a decade. Shell has just  cut its losses by exiting the entire project.

Now we see the first signs of opposition appearing in regards to its US ethane cracker plant.  Those involved would be well advised to contact the Irish protest group “Shell to Sea” for information about their horrendous experience of challenging Shell.  Spying by Shell’s private security force, Shell sponsored jailing of landowners opposing pipe-laying and widespread bribes and corruption to achieve Shell’s objectives.

It remains to be seen if Shell will learn from its Irish debacle, or will resort to the same unethical steamroller tactics.

The Beaver County Times: Petition calling on Shell Pipeline to be more transparent gathers 4,000 signatures

By Jared Stonesifer: 18 July 2017

AMBRIDGE — A petition has been signed by more than 4,000 concerned residents who are calling for more transparency from Shell Pipeline Co. and its plans for the Falcon Ethane pipeline.

Once built in several years, the 97-mile pipeline will transport ethane and other natural gas liquids to Shell Chemicals’ $6 billion ethane cracker plant on the banks of the Ohio River in Potter Township.

Shell Pipeline officials for months have been busy securing easements and right-of-ways from landowners in Beaver, Allegheny and Washington counties, land that will be needed to house the pipeline.

While significant progress has been made in that regard, some local residents are concerned about the lack of transparency from Shell in regards to the exact route the ethane pipeline will take through the region.

The most pressing area of concern for the residents who signed the petition is the Ambridge Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to residents in Beaver and Allegheny counties.

Two advocacy groups — the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Committee and the Citizens to Protect Ambridge Reservoir — have banded together to call on the Ambridge Water Authority to act.

The groups are asking the water authority to craft a “source water protection plan” that will mandate setbacks and other protocol to ensure the Shell pipeline doesn’t come into contact with any wetlands or waterways that drain into the Ambridge Reservoir.

 

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