How a neighbor found out the South Portland oil tanks may emit more than previously reported

David Falatko, an environmental engineer, discovered that under an EPA a consent decree Global Partners, a Massachusetts-based company that owns some of the 120 tanks in South Portland, had the potential to emit roughly twice the amount of VOCs as the company’s permit allowed, in violation of the federal Clean Air Act. Armed with Falatko’s discovery, local environmental advocates feel they have proof that Global is violating its emissions permit and perhaps even exceeding the 50-ton limit that would require regulation as a major source. The big question: Why did Global choose to use the vapor pressure value that it did? It’s still unclear what the state will do with Falatko’s findings.