PA Plastics Plant 2B Hugely Polluting, But Andrew Wheeler Says They'll Be "Looking At" Ammonia, VOCs

[hatrack]

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will visit the cracker plant in Monaca. Aides said he would tout the 5,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs being created at the site. Earlier this year, Action News Investigates found the cracker plant will bring thousands of tons of air pollutants to a region that already has some of the nation's dirtiest air.

The plant's permit calls for far higher levels of volatile organic compounds than the Clairton Coke Works, one of the biggest polluters in the region. The cracker will emit more ammonia -- another toxic chemical -- than the coke works and the Edgar Thomson Works steel plant combined. Also, the cracker plant will produce 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 488,000 cars.

All that has environmental advocates worried about the health of people living near the plant, as well as downwind as far away as Pittsburgh. But EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said there is no cause for concern.

"We are closely monitoring both the permit and the emissions and we're looking at the overall emissions environment of Western Pennsylvania. We want to make sure the air quality overall is positive for everyone who lives in Western Pennsylvania," Wheeler said.

EDIT

https://www.wtae.com/article/epa-chief-vows-cracker-plant-will-be-clean/28680419

[bronxiteforever]

1. When Wheeler is your bulwark against air pollution

Time to make out your will.

[John1956PA]

2. The stated purpose of the plant is to produce plastic pellets for manufacturing plastic bottles, etc

Also, byproducts generated by the plant will include chemical compounds used for other purposes.

The use of plastic bottles is embedded in our lifestyle, but there are pollution concerns in their manufature and disposal.