Tar sands discussion to be held at USM
PORTLAND — Although the Keystone XL tar-sands pipeline proposed for the middle of the country was recently rejected by President Obama, there is a possibility that oil from the tar sands may be pumped through Maine, risking the water supply of the southern half of the state, including Maine's largest city.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine and Sierra Club Maine have teamed up to bring national experts to Portland to discuss the environmental and safety risks of this proposed project, which would reverse the flow of existing pipelines to bring tar-sands crude oil through our state.
The talk, "Stop Dirty Tar Sands Oil from Coming Through Maine," will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in the Glickman Library at USM, University Events Room on the fifth floor. Refreshments will be served.
The Canadian oil and gas giant Enbridge is proposing to pump dirty tar-sands oil from Ontario to South Portland, where it would be shipped by tanker to refineries along the East Coast or Gulf of Mexico.
The pipeline passes next to Sebago Lake, the drinking-water supply for Greater Portland, which comprises more than 15 percent of Maine's population. The pipeline also could endanger Casco Bay and Maine’s fishing and lobster industries. A pipeline leak in the Sebago watershed would be a nightmare. A single tanker accident in Casco Bay could devastate Maine’s fishing industries.
National experts from the National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, and Natural Resources Defense Council will present the facts and lead a discussion about preventing this risky project.
Jim Murphy from the National Wildlife Federation and Kate Colarulli from the Sierra Club will describe Alberta tar-sands oil production — probably the dirtiest energy project on Earth — and its potential impact on Maine. They will share the story of tar-sands oil, the environmental and global climate impacts, and how Maine is poised to become part of the larger battle by oil companies to bring tar-sands crude to global markets via the Portland-Montreal pipeline and Portland Harbor.
Danielle Droitsch from the Natural Resources Defense Council will focus on pipeline safety issues, and reasons Maine people should be worried if this proposal goes forward.
This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited; to reserve a seat contact emmie@nrcm.org or (207) 430-0105.
