Approval of Air Permit Will Introduce NEW Sources of Pollution in Washington County
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is holding a public hearing on a proposed air permit for the Cryo II Project at the Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas Processing Plant in Smith Township, Washington County.
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 6–8 P.M.
Location: Burgettstown Area Middle/High School Campus, LGI Room
100 Bavington Road, Burgettstown, PA 15021
To register and speak at the hearing, contact Emily Green in the Department’s Office of Environmental Justice at 412-442-4042 or via email to emgreen@pa.gov.
Public comments will be accepted through July 5, 2026, and should be sent to Alexis Bruscemi, Air Quality Engineering Specialist, DEP Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or by email to: abruscemi@pa.gov.
What's being proposed?
DEP is considering Air Quality Plan Approval, which would authorize the operation of new air pollution sources associated with ETC Northeast Pipeline’s proposed Cryo II expansion project at the Revolution Cryogenic Plant.
The Revolution Cryogenic Plant — owned by a big oil company, Energy Transfer — is a natural gas processing facility that receives and processes natural gas from regional pipeline infrastructure to create petrochemicals — the building blocks of plastic. The facility is part of ETC Northeast Pipeline's Revolution system in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Why does this matter?
If approved, this permit would allow the facility to continue processing increasing amounts of natural gas to make even more harmful plastic products. Together, these petrochemical processes emit pollution that impacts the health, air, water, land, and quality of life of nearby communities.
On Christmas Day in 2022, for example, the Revolution Cryogenic Plant experienced a major explosion and fire, releasing ethane and other gases uncontrollably for roughly nine and a half hours, according to the company, leaving residents shaken up. Learn more about the incident and how it was handled by the company and the DEP here.
In 2018, Energy Transfer’s brand new Revolution Natural Gas Pipeline exploded in Beaver County and the company paid a penalty of $30.8 million to DEP.
Why should I care?
Processing of natural gases, like methane and ethane, negatively impacts the quality of our air, water, land, and health.
People, including children, living near plastic-making and fossil fuel facilities experience higher cancer, asthma, and heart disease rates, pre-term births, and shorter life expectancy.
What can I do about it?
Your voice matters!
Attend the hearing or submit comments by mail or email to let decision-makers know that protecting public health and the environment should come BEFORE expanding polluting industries.
On June 25, use your voice to say “NO!” to corporate greed and “YES!” to a safer community.
