It is critically important for South Portland citizens to vote “for” the Waterfront Protection Ordinance this November to protect the health of our children and community from toxic tar-sands oil polluting our air and our water.

Tar sands oil has no place in the future of our community.

Despite Portland Pipe Line Company’s claims that it does not plan to bring tar-sands oil to South Portland and Casco Bay, the company has applied for and received a permit from the state of Maine for its “Pipeline Reversal Project” to bring tar-sands oil “south from Montreal for loading onto marine tank vessels” at its pier in South Portland. You don’t have to take my word for it, read it yourself online, at the DEP’s website: http://www.maine.gov/dep/ftp/AIR/licenses/titlev/A0197NSR1A.pdf.

That permit makes it clear that tar-sands oil emits more dangerous pollution than the crude oil that was allowed under Portland Pipe Line’s prior license. In August 2012, the pipeline company applied for the reversal permit to be extended, and it is now effective until Feb. 25, 2014.

The permit also clearly states that for the tar sands conversion, the Pipe Line company would need to build two “vapor combustion units,” or incinerators, on Pier 2 adjacent to Bug Light Park, “each about 12 feet in diameter and 70 feet high” to burn toxic chemicals that are generated by loading tar sands oil onto ships. The Waterfront Protection Ordinance will stop this project.

These are the facts. Don’t be misled by false statements. These are some of the reasons I will be voting for the Waterfront Protection Ordinance and urge you to do so, too.

Linda Skinner

South Portland