For over a decade, we’ve brought our community together to advocate for cleaner air, healthier waters, and a safer, more sustainable future. From mobilizing community opposition to tar sands oils, to campaigning to pass South Portland’s precedent-setting Clear Skies Ordinance, to successfully pushing the City to pass a ban on synthetic pesticide, we work to turn community concerns into meaningful actions. Read more: Our Story Get involved
Use the slider inside the map to change the search radius around the fence lines. Facilities, schools and child care, the buffer and DEP air monitors are labeled.
There are 120 large petroleum tanks in South Portland, run by six major oil companies. Residents have raised concerns for decades that the tanks compromise air quality for the people who live, work and play very close to them. New state data measuring air quality along the fencelines of these tank farms has confirmed what we’ve felt, and smelled, for years: They are bad neighbors, profiting off harm to our community.
Concerning readings were collected near all the tanks, but two tank farms stand out. At Citgo on Mechanic Street, which sits very close to homes in Pleasantdale, monitors found the air consistently and dramatically exceeded state standards for benzene, a well-studied carcinogen. Benzene measurements were highest at South Portland Terminal on Lincoln Street, bordered by businesses, homes and Forest City Cemetery, with one reading registering 12 times higher than the state’s ambient air quality standard, meant to protect people from cancer risk. Read the full campaign page: South Portland Tank Farms.
Next: City Council workshop - Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m., South Portland High School. Act now.
