A Proposal to Protect Maine from the Oilbergs of the 70's

The oil industry is moving into Maine with plans to develop new oil ports and to build oil refineries along the coast. Although the Portland harbor is one of the busiest oil ports on the eastern seaboard, the enormous increase in oil transportation over Maine waters, as envisioned by the oil magnates, poses frightening consequences for Maine people. Responding to this threat and to a growing conservation lobby, as well as an aroused public, the 104th Legislature passed measures that hopefully will begin to cope with the problem. Hailed as landmark conservation legislation, the new laws go further than past feeble attempts to afford protection and redress from the ravages of polluting oil. Yet the new laws do not go far enough to provide the quantum of protection demanded by the risks involved. Indeed, the viability of certain controversial provisions of the new legislation will be in question until they have been tested before the courts. As a result, Maine's greatest asset, its environment, especially its unique and famous coastline, remains inadequately protected from oil pollution.