Ethane Cracking in the Upper Ohio Valley: Potential Impacts, Regulatory Requirements, and Opportunities for Public Engagement

The ongoing boom in shale gas production has created a market for shale gas byproducts, including ethane, in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. "Cracker" facilities convert ethane into usable chemical products, and several of these cracker facilities are proposed or already under construction in this region. However, many residents want to know more about the potential impacts of these facilities. This report, prepared for Washington & Jefferson College’s Center for Energy Policy and Management, discusses the potential impacts of and regulatory requirements for ethane cracking in the Upper Ohio Vally, and identifies opportunities for public engagement.