Maine residents object to pipeline plans

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WATERFORD, Maine, March 5 (UPI) -- Maine residents stated formal opposition to plans to reverse flow in an oil pipeline to deliver Canadian crude oil to Maine's Portland Harbor.

Democratic lawmakers in Maine sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama expressing concern about plans from Portland Pipe Line Corp. to reverse an oil pipeline so that it sends tar sands oil from Montreal to Maine.

A resolution passed by residents of Waterford, Maine, formalized objections to plans for reversing the flow of oil through the state. The Bangor Daily News said the resolution passed 56-34 in a show of hands.

"We feel that such transport is of no benefit to Waterford and entails unacceptable risk to our river, our public health and safety, property values, recreation resources, water quality, and the pristine natural resources upon which our community depends," the resolution stated.

The newspaper said voters in Casco and Bethel previously passed similar resolutions.

Pipeline Pipe Line Chief Executive Officer Larry Wilson told the Daily News the company was talking with Maine residents to address their concerns.

"Many of our wonderful neighbors in Waterford strongly supported our request to table the matter to provide a future opportunity to communicate the facts and correct the inaccuracies and misstatements associated with this non-binding resolution," he was quoted as saying.

Pipeline Pipe Line in December said there was no "active project" but it would consider the reversal if warranted by market demands.