Imagine racking up over 60 driving violations and still being allowed to keep your license.

Well, that's exactly what is happening for Shell Polymers Monaca, a giant petrochemical facility that “cracks” fracked gas for plastic just 30 miles NW of Pittsburgh. Since opening less than 4 years ago, Shell’s gigantic   facility has racked up over 60 air quality violations — more than a dozen in 2026 alone. That means it's on track to become the #2 highest hazardous air polluter in PA and number #20 in the nation.

Yet, despite all this, Shell is asking the PA Department of Environmental Protections to greenlight even higher pollution levels.

Let’s be clear, Shell's air violations aren’t just illegal – they’re dangerous to our health. Recently, a community right-to-know request revealed that two of Shell’s air quality violations in 2026 released unknown amounts of Benzene and 1,3-butadiene, chemicals known to cause a variety of cancers.

But that’s just the tip of the emissions stack.

If their latest Air Quality permit is approved, Shell Polymers Monaca plans to emit an additional 230.65 tons — yes, tons — of Carbon Monoxide, 126.65 tons of Nitrogen Oxides, and 262,064 of CO2e (greenhouse gas equivalent emissions) every year.

Why would the Department of Environmental Protections approve higher pollution levels when Shell has failed to meet Clean Air Act standards every quarter for the last 3 years? Isn’t our health more important than plastic pellets?

The good news is — this permit approval isn’t a done deal, as long as we speak up by Friday, April 17.

Now is our time to tell the PA Department of Environmental Protections: reject Shell’s Air Quality permit until they can prove they can follow the law! Our health, our families’ health, and the health of our communities is far too valuable to let Shell pollute illegally without any real repercussions.