Shell’s construction company has applied to the Department of Community and Economic for a waiver to resume some work at the Potter Twp. site here in Beaver County, Shell is asking for an allowance of  limited construction with 400 to 800 workers returning if the waiver is approved.

A dozen local community organizations sent an open letter to Shell Chemicals on Thursday urging the company to protect plant workers and the Beaver County community during the COVID-19 pandemic by not re-opening the plant.

Some union officials and elected leaders feel the plant shouldn’t be approved for the waiver due to the risk of employees contracting the Covid-19 Noval Coraona virus. In recent weeks before the current shut down Shell has been accused of not protecting their employees by having them ride on crowded buses, attend a daily meeting in a large group, and lunchrooms that were crowded.  On March 18, Shell temporarily suspended construction activities at Beaver County’s ethane cracker plant to help control the spread of COVID-19 amid public pressure.