MVCAC September 2021

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LIVE on Wednesday evening (tonight)
by DUANE NICHOLS 29 Sep '21

29 Sep '21

LIVE from New York Public Library, Treasures: Climate Change: The Case for Hope and Healing with Katharine Hayhoe and Tia Nelson Date and Time — Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30 PM End times are approximate. Events may end early or late. Location — Online. Registrants will receive an email reminder about one hour before the program begins. § – REGISTER HERE – §

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West Virginia Needs More Good Stuff and Less Bad Stuff, But Who Knows Which is Which?
by DUANE NICHOLS 24 Sep '21

24 Sep '21

http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2021/09/24/west-virginia-needs-more-good-stuff-… West Virginia Needs More Good Stuff and Less Bad Stuff, But Who Knows Which is Which? Greenhouse Gases GHG are very bad stuff in the air West Virginia needs to capture value-added activity for natural gas Editorial from the Huntington Herald Dispatch, September 5, 2021 How much has natural gas production in Appalachia increased since drillers began fracking in 2008? Consider this from the federal Energy Information Administration last week: “On its own, the Appalachian Basin would have been the third-largest natural gas producer in the world the first half of 2021, behind Russia and the rest of the United States.” That’s why we see fewer coal trains moving through the area and why almost no coal barges come out of the Big Sandy River nowadays. Gas has taken much of coal’s market in the domestic power industry. The Marcellus and Utica shale formations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia accounted for 34% of all U.S. dry natural gas production in the first half of 2021, according to the EIA. In the first six months of this year, production in the region averaged 31.9 billion cubic feet per day, the highest average for a six-month period since production began in 2008, the agency said. Northern West Virginia has benefited from development of Marcellus shale, as landowners have collected royalties and construction workers have built pipelines and gas processing plants such as those in Doddridge and Wetzel counties. Development of the shale field has had its problems, especially in the early days. In the Legislature, questions about property owners’ rights continue. Fracking — shorthand for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing — isn’t going away. Neither is the demand for natural gas in the chemical and electricity-generating industries. The thing is that West Virginia has lagged in taking full advantage of the gas industry. There should be growth potential in natural gas liquids, such as ethane, which are found in some gas fields. About eight years ago, a Brazilian company announced plans to build a chemical plant in Wood County to take advantage of natural gas liquids that are abundant in West Virginia, but those plans were dropped soon after. A multibillion-dollar ethane processing plant has been built at Monaca, Pennsylvania, near West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle, and people in the Moundsville area keep waiting for a company in Thailand to decide whether to build a similar plant across the Ohio River from them. The window to build such plants may have closed temporarily. Pipelines carry West Virginia gas out of state, and people in those other states receive most of the benefits of it. It’s easy to say West Virginia should do more to become competitive in industries that use natural gas. Answering the question “How?” is not so easy, but a viable answer could help give the state’s economy the boost it needs. >>>>>>………………>>>>>>………………>>>>>> COMMENTS ~~~ 1. Mary Wildfire, Roane County, WV ~~ All true in this Editorial but a few tiny things are left out. Like the horrendous toll on the environment and health from fracking, the civilization-ending threat of climate change, the glutted markets for both gas and plastic, the anti-plastics movement ramping up globally as people discover the horrifying effects of plastic pollution — it’s high time we stopped clinging to yesterday’s technologies. 2. Duane Nichols, Monongalia County, WV ~~ Drilling and fracking and pipelining offers jobs to young workers willing to move around frequently and work irregular hours. But, those jobs are fleeting and gone after a few months. The truck noises, truck pollution, truck accidents are all a detriment and perhaps a small penalty compared to the road damages and road congestion. Natural gas is a precious commodity except for the climate change impacts known as greenhouse gases, GHG. Joseph Fourier understood the earth’s greenhouse effect in 1822, Savante Arrhenius extended the understanding in 1896, and the newspapers in New Zealand were writing about it in 1912, so how long will it take the man on the street to believe it and take it seriously? Sent from my iPad

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UPDATED: Allegheny County Council Votes Unanimously to Approve Mon Valley Air Pollution Episodic Regulations | Group Against Smog and Pollution
by DUANE NICHOLS 23 Sep '21

23 Sep '21

https://gasp-pgh.org/2021/09/13/allegheny-county-council-votes-yes-on-mon-v… UPDATED: Allegheny County Council Votes Unanimously to Approve Mon Valley Air Pollution Episodic Regulations, Fitzgerald’s Signature Makes Them Official Note: This story was updated at 6:16 p.m. Sept. 14 to reflect information from Allegheny County Council’s meeting and again on Sept. 23 to reflect that the new rules have been signed into law by Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald. Allegheny County Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a long-sought Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode rules. The vote came after Council’s Health and Human Service committee affirmatively recommended the episodic weather regulation Sept 8. The regulations were signed into law by Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Sept. 15. The aim of the new regulations? To reduce particulate matter in the Mon Valley during periods of stagnant weather patterns, which are often a driver of subpar air quality and exceedances of state and federal standards. For those who might not be familiar: The proposed reg will require facilities in the defined Mon Valley area that produce more than 6.5 tons of pm2.5 annually and/or more than 10 tons of pm10 annually to create and submit to ACHD “Mitigation Plans” for periods when poor air quality is forecast. ACHD anticipates the new regulation affecting 18 facilities in 32 municipalities. Here’s what you need to know: During the “Watch” phase, facilities such as U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works must conduct basic checks to ensure equipment is in good working order but also ensure they have adequate staff to take actions required under the “Warning” phase. Once a “Warning” is issued, facilities must undertake the actions listed in the mitigation plans they filed with ACHD. The particular actions will be specific to each facility and approved on a case-by-case basis. The proposed change will also ban all wood-burning activities when a Mon Valley Air Pollution Watch or Warning has been issued in the defined municipalities. GASP thanks council for its yes vote. “As we’ve said: No, it’s not everything that we had hoped for but it’s progress and we thank council for greenlighting the regulation,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. Editor’s Note: GASP submitted public comments in support of the regs.

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WEBINAR From MARCH FOR SCIENCE on Upcoming COP26 Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland
by DUANE NICHOLS 19 Sep '21

19 Sep '21

http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2021/09/19/webinar-from-march-for-science-on-up… WEBINAR From MARCH FOR SCIENCE on Upcoming COP26 Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland March for Science on to COP26 in November What You Need To Know About Congress of the Parties # 26 (COP26) Message to Our Friends and Concerned Citizens, This November, the United Nations will convene for its annual climate change conference in Glasgow. Known as COP26, the conference will provide world leaders the opportunity to revise their national climate goals under the Paris Agreement. Who participates in these discussions? How are these goals defined? Are they ambitious enough? Join experts and activists TOMORROW, Monday, September 20 at 7pm ET to talk through what’s happening and what you can do to fight for global climate action. RSVP For The Link Here. MARCH FOR SCIENCE March for Science is Supporting the Upcoming COP26

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UUFM — ORDER OF SERVICE & ZOOM Link for September 19, 2021
by DUANE NICHOLS 19 Sep '21

19 Sep '21

Subject: UUFM — ORDER OF SERVICE & ZOOM Link for September 19, 2021 > > UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF MORGANTOWN > >> 10:45 AM. 🌈 Welcome to the UUFM. We Are A Welcoming Congregation 🌅 >> >> Greeting on Sunday Morning, Welcome to Warm and Humid Weather >> >> 11:00 AM. The UUFM Uses the Principles & Sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) > > ANNOUNCEMENTS and JOYS & CONCERNS for EVERYONE >> >> Today we focus on the multiple issues of climate change as described by Al Gore and Dr. James Hansen > > READING — Science Note of August 14, 1912: “Coal Consumption Affecting Climate” >> >> VIDEO #1 — “Sing For the Climate,” Marblehead Unitarian Universalist Church Choir > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WHIW1820aI >> >> >> Brief Description of the Life of James Hansen, Columbia University > > VIDEO #2 — Climate Change Interview with Dr. James Hansen @ UN University, 2010 > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Si9x7WwfRU >> >> Brief Description of the Life of Al Gore, Vice President (1992 to 2000) > > VIDEO #3 — Al Gore - The Climate Reality Project and “24 Hours of Reality” (2018) > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q50vDMpq0c > >> > VIDEO #4 — The Three Pillars of the West Virginia Climate Alliance (2021) > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkEwM5c5EMA > > VIDEO # 5 — Children’s Climate Change Song (The Time is Now) > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3yL_1L85Mk > > CLOSING WORDS — Update and Closing Covenant > > >>>>>>>>>>…………………>>>>>>>>>>…………………>>>>>>>>>> > > UUFM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. > > Topic: Al Gore & James Hansen Describe Climate Change > Time: Sep 19, 2021 10:45 Opening, 11:00 AM Service > > Join Zoom Meeting > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83226703958 > Future Sunday Services > September 26: From a Tucker County Lumber Camp to the Cleveland Polka Scene with Frankie Yankovic, 11:00 a.m. Zoom Session with the UUFM Congregation here in Morgantown. Polka Music has evolved in the United States and is alive and well in the mid-western states. ACCESS — Zoom link to be provided. > > See also: UUFMWV.org > > > > >

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Q & A — Longview II Permit Application for CCGT Plan in Monongalia County, WV
by DUANE NICHOLS 13 Sep '21

13 Sep '21

From: "Andrews, Edward S" <Edward.S.Andrews(a)wv.gov> > Date: September 13, 2021 at 3:04:10 PM EDT > To: Duane Nichols <Duane330(a)aol.com> > Subject: Longview II Permit Application for CCGT Plan in Monongalia County, WV > > Mr. Nichols: > > This email is a follow-up response to your comments made on January 13, 2020 regarding Longview Power II, which is now Mountain State Clean Energy LLC (MSCE), proposed construction of two natural gas fired combined cycle combustion turbines next to the existing Longview Power Plant near Maidsville. The following is the agency's response to your comments, which is in blue text. > > Comment 1. 1. Inadequate notice and confusing advertisements plague this project. The WV-DEP should hold a public hearing and advertise it widely (WV, PA, MD) as it affects many communities in multiple states. > > Response: The notices that MSCE had published in The Dominion Post on December 12, 2019, and on March 12, 2021 meet the required criteria in 45 CSR 13 & 45 CSR 14. > > Also, the DAQ had notified the appropriate Federal Land Managers over the nearest Class I Areas to the project (Doddy Sods, James River Face, Otter Creek Wilderness Areas & Shenandoah National Park on February 14, 2020 and April 14, 2021. > > Once a preliminary determination regarding this project has been made by the agency, the agency will publish a Class I advertisement in the local newspaper (The Dominion Post ) as required by our permitting rules. Also, the agency is required to provide notice to local governing (e.g. County Commission of Monongalia County) and planning bodies (e.g. Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization) that has jurisdiction over the location that project will be located within. EPA Regional Administrator and appropriate officials with the PA DEP are required to be notified by the agency once the DAQ has made a preliminary determination regarding this application. The agency takes your suggestion for a public meeting under consideration. > > Comment 2. The single advertisement that we have seen was in the Morgantown Dominion Post on December 18th. It is dated in the upper right corner as “Dec. 8” and near the bottom appears this line “Dated this the 13th day of December, 2019.” Hence, this is confusion and unclear what the deadlines are for public comment. > > Response: MSCE revised their revised application on March 12, 2021 and published a class I legal ad in The Dominion Post, which should have cleared up any confusion you may have had with the December notice. > > Section 8 - Public Review Procedures of 45 CSR 13 (Rule 13) and Section 17 - Public Review Procedures of 45 CSR 14 will be followed for this permit application (Rule 14). Section 8.2. of Rule 13 requires the DAQ to continue accepting comments as long as the application is on our list. NSR Permit Applications (wv.gov) > > The ad you notice in the December 12, 2019 edition of the Dominion Post and the ad in the March 12, 2021 edition of the Dominion Post are requirements of Notice level A of Section 8.3. of Rule 13 and Section 17.1 of Rule 14. Once the DAQ makes a preliminary determination on this application, the DAQ will publish a legal ad allowing the public to make comments on our finding and recommendations (e.g., preliminary determination and draft permit) for 30 day comment period in accordance with Section 8.4. of Rule 13 and Section 17.4. of Rule 14. > > Comment 3. There are nine (9) PSD pollutants listed, making this a major polluter to add to the existing large scale power plants right here in northern Monongalia County. > > Response: Applicants seeking to obtain an air permit from this office must disclose the pollutants and amounts to be released from the facility in their notice to the public. MSCE satisfied this requirement in our rule. > > Comment 4. The estimated Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPS) at 9.96 tons per year are almost certainly underestimated, given start-ups, excursions and other upsets. Over two (2) tons of toluene per year is excessive. This will add to the high level of HAPS from the exhausts of coal trucks on the Ft. Martin Hill (300 trucks per day). > > Response: Excursions or upsets are not permitted in our permits. MSCE did account for start-ups and shutdowns in their emission estimates. In the revised March 2021 application, the potential to emit HAPs from the project is 23.3 tons per year. The project site is located next to Longview Power and under common control. Thus, the HAPs from both sites are required to be aggregated for applicability purposes to determine if the site is a major source of HAPs. The HAP potential from Longview Power is 15.87 tpy, which makes the total of both sites a potential to emit 39.19 tons per year of HAPs. Therefore, the project is classified as a Major Source of HAPs. > > Comment 5. The emissions given must be considered when added to the existing emissions in that area as we are already overwhelmed with coal fired power plant associated pollutants from the Longview I and the Ft. Martin power plants. Longview is already paying annual assessments for polluting the atmosphere. > > Response: In this application, MSCE has been required to conduct cumulative analysis for NOx and PM to ensure that the proposed emission units don't cause or contribute to a predicted exceedance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAAS) and PSD increment levels for Class II areas (e.g., Monongalia County). A list of these background sources (off site inventory) can be found in Table 7-6 of the application, which includes the emission units at Longview Power and Fort Martin Power Stations. > > Comment 6. The heat rejected and air emissions from three (3) power plants creates unacceptable conditions for the Ft. Martin community as well as Maidsville, Star City, Bakers Ridge, Stewartstown (all in WV) plus Pt. Marion, Bobtown, Garards Fort, and Greensboro (in PA). Clouds of vapors, pockets of pollution and streams of emissions are present, some seen and some unseen. Less than 40 % of the heat energy going into these plants becomes electricity, so over 60% is rejected to become atmospheric heat or water vapor. Condensation results in the raining down of pollutants which collect in yards, on homes and in the air for residents to breathe. > > Response: MSCE has proposed that the DAQ consider two different manufacturers of the combustion turbine in this application (General Electric and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems). Of the proposed model units in this application, both of these manufacturers claim that their units have an efficiency of greater than 64% a net combined-cycle bases. 64% of the energy consumed by the units is transferred into electricity and transmitted to the power lines leaving the plant. https://www.ge.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7ha > https://power.mhi.com/products/gasturbines/lineup/m501j > > Comment 7. The deep valleys of the Monongahela River, Dunkard Creek and Cheat River are the primary danger areas were pollutants accumulate, and during inversions become concentrated and highly dangerous to the residents. Modeling will demonstrate this for steady state conditions, but these conditions will be extreme during power plant start-ups, excursions and other upsets. > > Response: MSCE has modeled emissions from cold, hot and warm startup event and shutdown events as continuously events over a five year ( 2014 through 2018) period as a demonstration to the DAQ that start-up and shutdown events from their proposed units do not pose a issue with the air quality in the local area (Monongalia County) with regards to maintaining the attainment status for the NAAQS and PSD increment levels. > > Comment 8. Continuous or intermittent emission monitoring on a frequent basis is highly needed if this plant is to go forward, not just for this plant but monitoring with alarms to detected emissions from any and all three of these plants, including the emission from the road(s) and coal handling operations in the area. > > Response: MSCE is required in this application to demonstrate an analysis of the ambient air quality in the local area of the pollutants that the proposed source could affect. If not enough data is available then the source is required to collect additional data to adequately complete this analysis of the ambient air in the local area. Our permitting rule does not require additional monitoring once a satisfactory analysis of the ambient air quality has been made by the applicant. > > Actual NOx emissions from the combustion turbines are required to be monitored on a continuous basis by the source. > > The WV DEP and PA DEP operate, record and report ambient concentrations of pollutants such as ozone, SO2, NOx, and PM2.5 from four monitoring sites within 30 km of the proposed site. EPA uses this data to forecast and report Air Quality (Air Quality Index - AQI). Air Quality Index (AQI) | AirNow.gov Changes to any of our monitoring site locations would require EPA approval. The selection of a monitoring site is not an activity that falls under the roll permitting section of the DAQ. > > Comment 9. The carbon dioxide and methane emission will be excessive and the State of West Virginia is oblivious to these. Have you no sense of right and wrong, considering that you are being paid as public servants. The facts that the Governor and the Director of DEP as political actors are only concerned about serving industry, does not relieve the staff and technical employees from performing rational and complete duties to protect the people of WV, PA, MD and the US from hazards, unhealthy conditions, and global threats. > > Response: Under 45 CSR 14, MSCE application represents a significant increase and net increase of one or more NSR pollutants ( CO, NOx, VOC, Ozone, PM, PM10, PM2.5) and a significant increase in one of the six greenhouse gases (CO2). Thus, MSCE is required to prepare and submit a Best Available Control Technology analysis for CO2 emissions from the facility. > > Thank-you for your remarks that pertain to Permit Application R14-0038. Should you have any additional questions about this application, please contact me. > > Sincerely, Edward Andrews, P.E., Engineer > WVDEP/Division of Air Quality > 304-926-0499 Ext 41244 > 601 57th Street, SE > Charleston, WV 20304 > > >> On Tue, Jan 21, 2020 at 11:02 AM Andrews, Edward S <Edward.S.Andrews(a)wv.gov> wrote: >> Mr. Nichols, >> >> Thank-you for your comments. The DAQ will response to your comments once the application is deem complete. Currently, the status of this application is incomplete. >> >> Should you have any questions, please contact me. >> >> Edward S. Andrews, P.E. >> >> Engineer >> >> West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection >> >> Division of Air Quality >> >> 601 57th Street, SE >> >> Charleston, WV 25304 >> >> 304.926.0499 ext. 1214 >> >> From: Duane Nichols <duane330(a)aol.com> >> Sent: Monday, January 13, 2020 3:48 PM >> To: Andrews, Edward S <Edward.S.Andrews(a)wv.gov> >> Subject: [External] Longview II Permit Application for CCGT Plan in Monongalia County, WV >> >> >> >> CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify sender. >> >> ATTN: Edward S. Andrews >> >> WV Dept. of Env. Protection >> >> Division of Air Quality >> >> 601 57th Street, SE >> >> Charleston, WV 25304 >> >> >> >> RE: Longview II Permit Application for CCGT 1200 MW, Maidsville, WV >> >> >> >> 1. Inadequate notice and confusing advertisements plague this project. The WV-DEP should hold a public hearing and advertise it widely (WV, PA, MD) as it affects many communities in multiple states. >> >> >> >> 2. The single advertisement that we have seen was in the Morgantown Dominion Post on December 18th. It is dated in the upper right corner as “Dec. 8” and near the bottom appears this line “Dated this the 13th day of December, 2019.” Hence, this is confusion and unclear what the deadlines are for public comment. >> >> >> >> 3. There are nine (9) PSD pollutants listed, making this a major polluter to add to the existing large scale power plants right here in northern Monongalia County. >> >> >> >> 4. The estimated Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPS) at 9.96 tons per year are almost certainly under estimated, given start-ups, excursions and other upsets. Over two (2) tons of toluene per year is excessive. This will add to the high level of HAPS from the exhausts of coal trucks on the Ft. Martin Hill (300 trucks per day). >> >> >> >> 5. The emissions given must be considered when added to the existing emissions in that area as we are already overwhelmed with coal fired power plant associated pollutants from the Longview I and the Ft. Martin power plants. Longview is already paying annual assessments for polluting the atmosphere. >> >> >> >> 6. The heat rejected and air emissions from three (3) power plants creates unacceptable conditions for the Ft. Martin community as well as Maidsville, Star City, Bakers Ridge, Stewartstown (all in WV) plus Pt. Marion, Bobtown, Garards Fort, and Greensboro (in PA). Clouds of vapors, pockets of pollution and streams of emissions are present, some seen and some unseen. Less than 40 % of the heat energy going into these plants becomes electricity, so over 60% is rejected to become atmospheric heat or water vapor. Condensation results in the raining down of pollutants which collect in yards, on homes and in the air for residents to breathe. >> >> >> >> 7. The deep valleys of the Monongahela River, Dunkard Creek and Cheat River are the primary danger areas were pollutants accumulate, and during inversions become concentrated and highly dangerous to the residents. Modeling will demonstrate this for steady state conditions, but these conditions will be extreme during power plant start-ups, excursions and other upsets. >> >> >> >> 8. Continuous or intermittent emission monitoring on a frequent basis is highly needed if this plant is to go forward, not just for this plant but monitoring with alarms to detected emissions from any and all three of these plants, including the emission from the road(s) and coal handling operations in the area. >> >> >> >> 9. The carbon dioxide and methane emission will be excessive and the State of West Virginia is oblivious to these. Have you no sense of right and wrong, considering that you are being paid as public servants. The facts that the Governor and the Director of DEP as political actors are only concerned about serving industry, does not relieve the staff and technical employees from performing rational and complete duties to protect the people of WV, PA, MD and the US from hazards, unhealthy conditions, and global threats. >> >> Duane Nichols, Coordinator >> >> Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition >> >> 330 Dream Catcher Circle >> >> Morgantown, WV 26508 >> >> 304-216-5535, Nichols330(a)gmail.com, duane330(a)aol.com >> >> >> > > >

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"Excessive Smoke" Observed At A Major Shell Plant In Louisiana Following Hurricane Ida
by DUANE NICHOLS 03 Sep '21

03 Sep '21

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/zahrahirji/shell-refinery-air-pollutio… One Of The Largest US Petrochemical Plants Is Spewing Excessive Smoke After Hurricane Ida Knocked Out Its Power Industrial sites often spew dirty gases into the air during emergency shutdowns and restarts, threatening nearby communities with smog and other pollution that can make it hard for people to breathe. Zahra HirjiSeptember 2, 2021, at 4:31 p.m. Zahra Hirji BuzzFeed News Reporter Last updated on September 2, 2021, at 4:31 p.m. ET Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images Vehicles drive past the petrol chemical plant near Highway 61 in Norco, Louisiana, on Aug. 30, 2021, after Hurricane Ida made landfall. A massive Royal Dutch Shell manufacturing complex in Louisiana’s St. Charles Parish is releasing nonstop plumes of smoke into the air after Hurricane Ida knocked out its power. Local, state, and federal officials are monitoring the incident. The plumes of smoke at Shell’s Norco plant are just one of a growing number of sources of industrial pollution slowly coming into view across the Gulf Coast following the Category 4 hurricane’s devastating blow to the region. Ida washed out roads, flattened homes and businesses, felled trees, and knocked out power for roughly 1 million people, including the entire city of New Orleans. At least seven people died in the region due to the storm. At this point, Shell is not saying much about the problems plaguing the Norco facility, one of the largest petrochemical plants in the country. In response to questions from BuzzFeed News, an oil company spokesperson declined to say what gases are being released or what amount of emissions have already gone into the air. The company also did not share a timeline for when the plumes of black smoke would stop. “While the site remains safe and secure, we are experiencing elevated flaring,” Curtis Smith, a Shell spokesperson, told BuzzFeed News in an email. “We expect this to continue until power is restored.” When it’s up and running, Shell’s combined refinery and chemical plant in Norco processes about 250,000 barrels of crude oil and 170,000 barrels of gasoline a day, in addition to generating billions of pounds of ethylene, propylene, and other chemicals. Like other refineries and industrial sites along the Gulf Coast, Shell shut down the plant ahead of Ida’s landfall. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images Smoke from flaring operations a refinery in Norco, Louisiana, drifts on the horizon with clouds as homes stand in a neighborhood that experienced flooding in LaPlace, Louisiana, on Aug. 30, 2021, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Industrial sites often spew dirty gases into the air during emergency shutdowns and restarts, threatening nearby communities with smog and other pollution that can make it hard for people to breathe. Back in 2017, Hurricane Harvey led to Texas chemical and petroleum plants releasing a year’s worth of pollution in a matter of days and weeks, according to a BuzzFeed News analysis. According to Shell’s Norco permit, some flaring in emergency situations is allowed, but it's unclear whether the current emission levels exceed what’s allowable under the permit. “Shell Norco is flaring,” Gregory Langley, press secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Environmental Quality, told BuzzFeed News in an email. “When there is an emergency condition, they are allowed to do this under their permit.” That being said, Langley added, “The flares at Shell Norco are large and produce some smoke.” Starting Thursday, Louisiana’s environmental officials will monitor Norco’s air quality using what’s called a Mobile Air Monitoring Laboratory. The Environmental Protection Agency is also sending a special plane to help monitor local air emissions in Norco, agency press secretary Nick Conger told BuzzFeed News in an email. EPA has received reports of the facility flaring four types of noxious gas: butadiene, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen, Conger added. “Excessive smoke seen in the community is a result of a lack of electricity” at the plant, EPA officials wrote in an incident summary posted online Wednesday afternoon. They noted that Shell is conducting its own air monitoring along the Norco fence line and in the surrounding community, reporting that information to emergency officials in St. Charles Parish, and company engineers “are looking at all options to try to reduce emissions to flare.” St. Charles Parish officials did not immediately respond to questions from BuzzFeed News. Shell also declined to provide information about its air monitoring results to BuzzFeed News. Norco residents say the current flaring levels aren’t normal. “This is bad,” Norco resident Peter Anderson told DeSmog. “I have never seen this many flares.” Beyond Norco, Shell is still assessing whether Ida damaged a chemical plant in Geismar, Louisiana, as well as any of the company’s floating platforms and other infrastructure used for extracting fossil fuels offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Ongoing power outages, widespread storm debris, and impassable roads are complicating the ability of companies and government officials to quickly identify environmental impacts, such as emission releases and spills, triggered by the storm. At least 138 major industrial sites are located in parishes hit hard by Ida, according to the New York Times. As of Wednesday afternoon, the EPA had received 28 reports of possible spills and pollution events in places hit by Ida, including 17 possible air pollution incidents. None of them have so far required the EPA to do on-the-ground assessments. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday that there’s a mileslong black slick of oil near an oil rig in Gulf waters. The spill was identified using aerial imagery. UPDATE This story has been updated to include a response from the Environmental Protection Agency, noting that officials have received reports detailing how four types of gases are being flared at the Norco plant and how the agency is deploying a plane to monitor local air emissions. Sent from my iPad

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MVCAC September 2021