Canadian Oil Refinery Fails to Assess Air Pollution Impacts on Maine

Contact:
Colin Durrant
CLF Communications Director (617) 850-1722

Brunswick, ME (July 19, 2007) Irving Oil Company’s proposed Eider Rock oil refinery fails to meet an international agreement for assessing cross-boundary environmental impacts, the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) has charged in a letter to Canadian officials. CLF said that an environmental impact review of the refinery, which would be located only 60 miles from Eastport, fails to assess the impact air pollution from the facility will have on Maine and the health of its residents.

“Climate change is threatening the health and safety of our entire region and any new project that will increase global warming pollution needs to be fully reviewed,” said Sean Mahoney, CLF’s Maine Advocacy Center Director. “Air pollution knows no boundaries and the Canadian government has a legal responsibility to ensure that the impacts on Maine are assessed.”

CLF said the failure to include an assessment of the transboundary environmental impacts violates a 1991 agreement between U.S. and Canadian government on air quality. Article V, paragraph 1 of that agreement requires that “[e]ach Party shall, as appropriate and as required by its laws, regulations, and policies, assess those proposed actions, activities and projects within the area under its jurisdiction that, if carried out, is likely to cause significant transboundary air pollution, including consideration of the appropriate mitigation measures.”

“The proposed refinery is located in your jurisdiction, and if carried out, is likely to cause significant transboundary air pollution in the United States ,” wrote Mahoney in his letter to Canada ’s Minister of the Environment, John Baird. “CLF requests that you direct the relevant responsible agencies to amend the scoping document to include any transboundary impacts that will arise from the proposed refinery’s emission of air pollutants. CLF also requests that, if you have not already done so, you immediately notify the United States government of the proposed refinery.”

The proposed Eider Rock oil refinery would be located in Saint John , New Brunswick and is intended to serve the East Coast of the United States .

The Conservation Law Foundation works to solve the most significant environmental challenges facing New England . CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to create innovate strategies to conserve natural resources, protect public health and promote vital communities in our region. Founded, in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Rhode Island and Vermont . Visit us on the web at: www.clf.org