By John H. Cushman Jr., InsideClimate News Bangor Daily News news story In contrast to regions such as the upper Midwest, the Northeast’s fuel supply has been nearly free of tar sands crude. That may change in coming years if pipeline expansions sought by Canada’s industry proceed, an environmental group is warning. An increase in Read More
Tar Sands Oil
Tar sands oil is the dirtiest and most climate-destructive form of oil in the world. When it spills, it is almost impossible to clean up. There was a proposal to bring tar sands oil through an existing nearly 70-year-old pipeline in Maine. It crosses some of Maine’s most pristine watersheds and ends at Casco Bay. This plan would have put our lakes, rivers, and coastal waters at risk, and threatened communities and drinking water from Sebago Lake along its path. NRCM was the first organization to bring the threat of tar sands to the public’s attention in Maine in 2009, and was a leader on this issue statewide.
Tar sands oil is one of the dirtiest forms of energy on the planet and is a growing threat in Maine and the Northeast. Extracted from huge open-pit mines in Alberta, Canada, tar sands oil is 20% more carbon intensive than conventional crude oil.
Sending tar sands crude oil to Maine would have required reversing an existing pipeline owned by Portland Montreal Pipe Line, a pipeline that passes next to Sebago Lake, the drinking water supply for more than 15% of Maine people. It would have endangered Casco Bay and our fishing and lobster industries. Many Maine cities and towns passed resolutions in opposition to transporting tar sands oil through their communities, and South Portland passed the Clear Skies Ordinance to protect their community.
Report: Oil Industry Plans to Pump Refined Tar Sands to Maine
Disregarding Public Opposition, Threatening Progress on Climate Change News Release Portland, Maine—Unless we act to stop it, Maine motorists may soon be filling their tanks with gasoline derived from Canadian tar sands, according to a new report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The oil industry plans to start pumping refined tar sands gasoline Read More
South Portland Moratorium Allows City Time to Craft Tar Sands Policy
The City Council’s decision recognizes local concerns and the process by which rules are created. Portland Press Herald editorial The narrow defeat last month of the South Portland Waterfront Protection Ordinance didn’t put to rest efforts to keep Canadian tar sands oil from being shipped through the city’s port. Far from it. The day after Read More
South Portland Passes Moratorium on Tar Sands Oil
by Matt Byrne, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council took its first concrete step Monday toward prohibiting Canadian oil sands from being shipped through the city’s port. The South Portland City Council took its first concrete step Monday toward prohibiting Canadian oil sands from being shipped through the Read More
Oil Industry Threatens Lawsuit Over S. Portland Tar Sands Moratorium
The American Petroleum Institute says the six-month moratorium on some waterfront development violates state and federal laws. by Matt Byrne, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story A national petroleum lobbying group is gearing up to sue the city of South Portland if it moves forward next week with a moratorium on loading Canadian tar-sands Read More
South Portland Tar Sands Ordinance Could Face Court Challenge
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story The American Petroleum Insititute has told South Portland that a moratorium on tar sands oil activity would likely violate a number of laws, as well as the Constitution’s Commerce Clause. The city of South Portland, which is currently considering a moratorium on the shipping of tar sands oil from Read More
Feds Tell Portland Pipe Line Corp. that Any Future Plans to Carry Tar Sands Must be Reviewed
by Whit Richardson, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — In what opponents are characterizing as a reversal of an earlier decision, the U.S. Department of State in August informed the Portland Pipe Line Corp. that it wants to review any future plans the company may propose to reverse the flow Read More
Manipulative Message Won Ballots but May Have Lost Tar Sands Battle
The manner in which oil interests defeated the Waterfront Protection Ordinance may not serve them well going forward. by Mike Tipping Portland Press Herald column As the victorious Greek King Pyrrhus surveyed the battlefield of Asculum in Southern Italy in 279 B.C. he counted the depressing number of his soldiers and commanders who lay dead Read More
South Portland Seeks Time, ‘Cooling Off’ on Tar Sands
City councilors prepare to pass a six-month moratorium to buy time to examine the issue. by Matt Byrne, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — City Councilors prepared Wednesday to pass a six-month moratorium on any project that would bring so-called tar sands crude oil into South Portland. The highly charged discussion Read More
