The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, with the support of state Sen. Anne Carney and state Rep. Victoria Morales, hit a milestone on Monday on the issue of addressing the impact of toxic oil emissions on the health of the citizens of South Portland.
The committee passed, as amended, and with a large majority, L.D. 163, which would require the oil tank farms to start identifying their actual emissions, which pose a health threat to residents in the surrounding community. The bill requires, most specifically, the testing of emissions, which is currently not done and which would document the health threat that these emissions pose. Without this documentation, the oil companies are protected from having to be responsible for the problems they’re creating.
The bill must still pass through the legislative approval process, which the community will be watching carefully. But this first step is a major accomplishment for our legislative representatives and for us.
Oil companies are some of the biggest and richest companies in the world. It’s time to address this huge threat to our community and put people’s well-being over corporate profits.
Judith Kline
South Portland
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