Shell Chemical has been fined almost $10 million by the state of Pennsylvania for excessive emissions at the firm's newly opened plastics and petrochemicals complex near Pittsburgh. In a May 24 news release, officials with the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said they had entered into a consent order and agreement (COA) with Shell Chemicals Appalachia L.L.C. In the COA, Shell formally acknowledged that the firm exceeded total emission limitations for air contaminants, agreed to make repairs to reduce future violations and agreed to pay nearly $10 million to DEP and the local community. Shell officials could not be reached for comment. Under the COA, Shell will pay a civil penalty of almost $5 million, with 25 percent of that amount directed to local communities. The firm will spend another $5 million for environmental projects to benefit the local communities.