Shell Norco Chemical Plant – Emissions Trend

Norco, LA · 2019–2023 · Parent: Shell Oil Co

This page assembles 5 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for Shell Norco Chemical Plant, spanning 2019–2023. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 825.6K in 2019 and closed at 672.7K in 2023 – a decrease of 18.5% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Propylene at 906.3K, followed by Ethylene at 737.7K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this petroleum facility.

Overall Trend
↓ Decreasing (-18.5%)
2019 Total
825.6K lbs
2023 Total
672.7K lbs

Annual disclosure change

What changed: EPA TRI 2023 reporting year

2022 → 2023
  • Shell Norco Chemical Plant's total reported releases rose from 443.5 thousand lb in 2022 to 672.7 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Shell Norco Chemical Plant's air releases rose from 442.0 thousand lb in 2022 to 671.4 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Shell Norco Chemical Plant's water releases fell from 1.5 thousand lb in 2022 to 1.2 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
0171.6K343.2K514.8K686.3K857.9K 20192020202120222023 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 825.6K lbs 42 -
2020 857.9K lbs 43 +3.9%
2021 796.2K lbs 43 -7.2%
2022 443.5K lbs 43 -44.3%
2023 672.7K lbs 43 +51.7%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 20192020202120222023 Total
Propylene 159.5K 141.2K 143.5K 91.7K 370.5K 906.3K
Ethylene 135.0K 177.1K 278.6K 91.1K 55.9K 737.7K
Sulfuric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size) 152.6K 152.6K 6.9K 11.6K 13.7K 337.4K
Toluene 76.3K 72.0K 64.7K 39.8K 35.4K 288.2K
Benzene 56.0K 67.4K 75.3K 45.3K 36.1K 280.1K
1,3-Butadiene 59.4K 39.8K 69.6K 30.1K 21.3K 220.2K
Xylene (mixed isomers) 27.0K 57.9K 26.1K 28.1K 35.9K 175.0K
Naphthalene 38.8K 28.7K 40.2K 15.1K 14.6K 137.4K
Ammonia 27.0K 24.6K 24.5K 24.6K 24.2K 124.9K
n-Hexane 18.7K 41.7K 18.5K 13.7K 12.5K 104.9K
Hydrogen cyanide 12.7K 12.7K 12.7K 12.7K 12.7K 63.5K
Ethylbenzene 7.1K 15.7K 6.3K 8.0K 9.5K 46.7K
Acetonitrile 14.9K 3.1K 11.9K 7.6K 6.9K 44.4K
Diethanolamine 17.9K 7.9K 5.1K 3.3K 2.3K 36.4K
Hydrogen sulfide 6.7K 4.9K 4.8K 8.4K 8.3K 33.2K

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shell Norco Chemical Plant getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2023, Shell Norco Chemical Plant's total toxic releases have decreased by approximately 19%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 5 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2023. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.