Industry study warns of possible S. Portland ordinance
The Maine Energy Marketers Association and a group called the Working Waterfront Coalition are ramping up their campaign against a proposed zoning ordinance in South Portland that would place new restrictions on petroleum-related developments near the shoreline.
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network reported the association commissioned an economic impact study of the proposed ordinance, which it says would cost the state an estimated 5,600 jobs and $250 million in lost earnings over 10 years.
The study, conducted by economist Charles Lawton at the firm Planning Decisions, found that 84% of the cargo vessels moving into and out of the Port of Portland were oil tankers. Industry opponents of the ordinance say restricting new developments along the shore would hinder that activity while proponents of the ordinance say existing businesses would be allowed to continue operating as they are today. Proponents of the ordinance originally supported it as a way to prevent development of infrastructure required for the Portland Pipe Line Corp. to export tar sands oil from western Canada.
Burton Russell, vice president of operations for Sprague Energy, which has a terminal in South Portland, told reporters during a press conference Monday that the ordinance is a “wholesale attack on the petroleum industry.”
Separately, a group of 216 South Portland businesses have signed on to a statement, drafted by the group Protect South Portland, in support of the zoning change.
The voters of South Portland will decide whether to approve the Waterfront Protection Ordinance during a November referendum vote.
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