Shapiro Admin Uses Shell Cracker Money for Quid Pro Quo

Although Shell maintains flaring and accidental emissions from its multi-billion-dollar ethane cracker in Beaver County, PA, have not violated state and federal air standards, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) says they have --- on numerous occasions. Shell didn’t argue the point, and in May 2023, the company agreed to pay nearly $10 million in fines and “contributions” to benefit the local community (see Shell Cracker Agrees to $10M Shakedown from PA, Restarting Now). Last July, the Shapiro DEP announced that it had appointed a 17-member committee to figure out how to dole out $5 million to fund local community projects near the cracker (see PA DEP Forms Ctte to Dole Out $5M in Shell Cracker Shakedown Cash). Many (not all) of the committee members are radical leftists who irrationally hate fossil energy. Translation: This is quid pro quo money given to radical left supporters of Shapiro to thank them for voting for him. The DEP released the list of grant recipients on Wednesday, including $631,534 (over a half million dollars!) going to the rabid anti-shale group Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community. Talk about a slap in Shell's face.

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