BEAVER COUNTY — Another step in the long process for a massive natural gas processing plant to be built in Beaver County will occur May 5.

That is when there will be a public hearing on the Shell cracker plant proposed for the former Horsehead Corp.’s Monaca Zinc Smelter in Potter Township, according to state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, who covers part of Butler County.

The state Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. in the Central Valley High School Auditorium, 160 Baker Road Ext., Monaca.

“This is an issue of vital importance to our community, and I applaud the DEP for scheduling this session to update and hear from citizens on this proposal,” said Vogel.

The hearing will focus on Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC’s Air Quality application. This is the first permit from Shell to be considered by DEP for the proposed construction of a petrochemicals complex that will, when complete, crack ethane and manufacture polyethylene pellets for use in the plastics industry.

Representatives from Shell and the DEP will make presentations at the hearing explaining the permit application and review process. The presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session, the news release stated.

Anyone wanting to provide testimony at the hearing should register in advance by calling DEP community relations coordinator John Poister at 412-442-4203 by May 5.

There will be an opportunity to register at the door before the hearing.