Operations underway at Shell cracker plant in Beaver County after near decade of construction

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — After nearly a decade of location scouting and construction, the lights are on and operations are underway at the Shell cracker plant in Potter Township, Beaver County.

“It certainly has the potential for further downstream investments,” said David Callahan, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >> Explainer: Here’s what to know as Shell’s new plant in Beaver County nears completion

Callahan called Tuesday a huge day for manufacturing in Western Pennsylvania.  He tells Channel 11 News the plant alone created 8,000 jobs and now that it’s up and running, it will employ 600 people and contribute to just about every product we use.

“At that facility we’ll be manufacturing polyethylene pellets that can be used for anything from medical devices, consumer products, components of vehicles,” said Callahan.

RELATED >> Beaver County residents share concerns over opening of Shell plant

“I think it’s the best thing for Beaver County in 35 years since all the steel mills went down,” neighbor David Shaffer tells Channel 11.

An independent report from Robert Morris University suggests economic activity from the facility could amount to around $3.7 billion each year statewide, including $31 million in local and state tax coffers. That said, some folks don’t think the local job creation is living up to the hype.

“It might bring some but not at all (of) what it was in the beginning,” said Mary Weis from Hopewell Township.

“I’m not sure it’s going to be as good as they said, but at this point anything is better than nothing,” Shaffer added.

Some neighbors say they’re concerned about air, water and noise pollution. A local watchdog group created “Eye on Shell” to monitor any potential environmental and health impacts. Other neighbors argue it’s a nonissue.

“All these industries are really regulated and some of these places are cleaner than what was there before,” Shaffer added.

The president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition shared the same sentiment about strict regulations, and said very much is being done locally in Potter Township to ensure the environment is protected and families nearby remain healthy. Some people living along the Ohio River say only time will tell if there are any potentially harmful, long-term consequences.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

Future of Pittsburgh Public Safety training center in flux

©2022 Cox Media Group