Sen. Carney testifies in support of bill to regulate emissions of oil tanks in South Portland
AUGUSTA — Last week, Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, testified in favor of proposed rules from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding control of petroleum storage facilities. The proposed rules were the subject of a public hearing before the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on Feb. 8.
The proposed rule change – LD 71, “Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 171: Control of Petroleum Storage Facilities, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection,” – is the result of legislation put forward by Sen. Carney and signed into law by the governor during the 130th Maine Legislature. The new law requires emissions monitoring at storage tank facilities across Maine to ensure clean air in surrounding neighborhoods.
“South Portland and its residents bear the brunt of the financial and environmental risk posed by the petroleum products stored in these oil tanks and the related transfer operations,” said Sen. Carney. “The numerous oil terminal facilities across a relatively small footprint and their proximity to residences and schools are significant concerns for the city. Many of South Portland’s schools, daycare centers and homes are extraordinarily close to these huge oil tanks. LD 71 will help us better understand the public health impact of the oil tanks on the residents of South Portland.”
South Portland is home to 6 out of 11 marine oil terminal facilities in the state of Maine. The proposed rule change takes the steps needed to implement policies set by the 130th Legislature to mitigate emissions from the oil tanks. These policies include increasing leak detection and requiring the owners of those storage facilities to test emissions from the oil tanks by fence line monitoring. Fence line monitoring is a practice that meets the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Method 325A to measure volatile organic compounds in the air.
LD 71 now faces further action in committee.
###
