Portland Pipe Line Corp. is suing the city of South Portland over a controversial ordinance adopted last summer that was meant to block the flow of tar sands oil into Maine.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the oil company, which owns a waterfront facility in South Portland, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland on Friday. The company seeks to overturn the ordinance, which prohibits the loading of crude oil onto marine vessels.
Portland Pipe Line is arguing in its lawsuit that the ordinance is causing interference with interstate trade, diminishes the value of its pipeline and discriminates against Canadian interests. The company, which is joined in the lawsuit by a trade group representing operators of barges and other vessels, also says the ordinance infringes on federal regulatory processes.
South Portland City Manager James Gailey said he is seeking legal counsel from the Maine Municipal Association, which will obtain a law firm for the city.
Source:Â Portland Press Herald
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