Shell's Texas Plant Permit Drama: EPA Reopens Review
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The EPA denied a request from Air Alliance Houston to block Shell Chemical’s air permit for its Deer Park plant in Texas but decided to reopen the permit for review. This means Shell’s operations continue for now, but changes could come after the review. Anyone wanting to challenge this decision must act by March 24, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
EPA Denies Petition to Block Shell Permit
On December 19, 2024 the EPA Administrator denied a petition from Air Alliance Houston that sought to block operating permit No. O1668 issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to Shell Chemical LP for its Deer Park Chemical Plant in Harris County, Texas. That denial means the EPA did not object to the permit at this time and the permit remains in effect as of that order.
EPA Finds Cause To Reopen Permit
The EPA Administrator’s December 19, 2024 order also found that cause exists to reopen the Shell Chemical Deer Park Chemical Plant permit under 40 CFR part 70.7. That finding starts a process to reopen and review permit No. O1668 for the Deer Park plant in Harris County, Texas.
Deadline To Seek Judicial Review
Under Sections 307(b) and 505(b)(2) of the Clean Air Act, anyone seeking judicial review of portions of the EPA order that denied issues in the petition must file a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals no later than March 24, 2025. The March 24, 2025 date is the filing deadline set in the order.
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