Tar sands resolution could go on Otisfield warrant

OTISFIELD — A draft resolution opposing the possible transportation of tar sands oil through an aging pipeline from Montreal to Portland was given to selectmen by members of the town's conservation committee during the February 6 selectboard meeting. 

"There is a possibility that tar sands slurry might come through this area, which would require reversal of the Portland-Montreal pipeline that currently transports [conventional] crude oil up to Canada," said conservation committee chair Jeff Stern, during the meeting. 

Stern suggested a petition be circulated asking citizens whether they support the pipeline reversal and that the June town meeting warrant include a resolution on the issue. 

The resolution drafted by the Otisfield Conservation Committee opposes any change in either flow direction or type of product, in this case, tar sands oil, pumped through the pipeline. According to the committee, the transportation of tar sands oil poses a risk to public health and safety, property values, recreational resources and pristine natural resources upon which the community depends.

In order for the petition to pass and the resolution be put on the town warrant, at least 110 signatures are required, said Selectboard Chairman Hal Ferguson. 

Selectman Rick Micklon agreed, saying the opinion "really needs to come from the people of Otisfield," versus the town's selectboard.

Environmental impact

Reversing the Portland-Montreal pipeline flow would impact some of Maine's critical lakes and rivers, including the Crooked River watershed, said Stern. The Crooked River is the largest tributary into Sebago Lake, which provides virtually all spawning habitat for indigenous landlocked salmon in the lake.

Sebago also provides drinking water to one-sixth of Maine, reported Lee Dassler, conservation committee member and coordinator for Western Foothills Land Trust, last October. 

In 2008, a proposal from Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy to reverse the pipeline's flow in order to ship tar sands oil from Alberta to Portland was floated but eventually abandoned.

Stern said the conservation committee has been diligently studying the issue and recommended Otisfield join other affected towns, including Casco, Raymond and Bethel, in opposing the transportation of tar sands oil through the pipeline. 

Waterford will be voting on whether to support tar sands oil at its town meeting in March, Stern said. 

Last October, Dassler reported that tar sands oil, also referred to as oil sands, consists of bitumen, which is a solid or semisolid petroleum deposit, mixed with sand, water and clay. 

For tar sands to flow, she said, it must be diluted with toxic chemicals, including benzene, and has to be pumped at a much higher pressure and heat than conventional crude oil, risking corrosion to the pipeline.

"We just feel this concept of pumping tar sands slurry through here would pose an unacceptable risk to our water resources," Stern said, speaking on behalf of the other committee members. 

Up to citizens

According to Stern, the resolution was modeled after a similar document passed in Casco, where voters have already rejected the plan. 

Selectmen agreed perhaps having the draft resolution vetted by attorneys of the Maine Municipal Association for proper legal verbiage before putting it on the town meeting warrant. It may also be run by the town attorney, said Ferguson. 

Ferguson said he couldn't imagine that citizens wouldn't be in favor of the resolution. 

"I am sure if it's on the warrant it will pass," agreed Selectman Lenny Adler. 

"This is a good start," said Micklon.