South Portland, Maine, votes against crude oil export

The city of South Portland, Maine, has voted to block oil companies from using the citys port to export crude bitumen from Alberta.

• South Portland moves to block Alberta bitumen from reaching its port

After a long debate on Monday evening, South Portland councillors voted to amend a zoning bylawto prohibit the bulk loading of crude oil onto marine tank vessels within the city and its port.

Enbridge's Line 9 reversal project, which would send Alberta crude eastwardto be refined at theSuncorrefinery in Montreal, does not officially include plans for the South Portland region.

But some members of the South Portland administration are concerned that Alberta crude could eventually make its way south,to be loaded onto tankers and exported from the city's port.

Enbridge'smanager of business communications, Graham White, said there are no plans for the South Portland region.

"We have no association with this pipeline or company and no plans, proposals or projects in the region. There is absolutely no effect whatsoever on Line 9," he stated in an email.

Concerns about drinking water, air pollution

Councillors in the city of South Portland aren'ttaking chances.

They say they'reconcerned there could be a push to reverse the flow of the Portland-Montreal Pipe Line,a subsidiary of the Canadian parent company that is owned by three companies involved in the Albertaoilsands:Shell,Suncorand Imperial Oil.

Elected officials say theyare concerned about the environmentespecially air pollution and theimpact a spill would have on the city's drinking water.

"This pipeline does pass through themajor watershed of the principaldrinking water source of southern Maine," said South Portland Mayor GerardJalbert.

Equiterre's Steven Guilbeault is applauding the decision.

"I think it's a good news for Montreal. I think it means that there are less chances we will be receiving tar sands here."

Now that councillors have made their decision, thecity's administration is preparing for what it expects will be a long battle in the courts with oil companies.

Representatives from the Portland-Montreal Pipe Linedeclined requests for an interview.