PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 14, 2023
I was disappointed to learn that Quincy Hentzel, head of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, is against proposed new rules to more closely monitor hazardous air emissions from petroleum storage tanks in South Portland. Petroleum companies’ unquenchable thirst for profits is less important than the health of our neighborhoods. South Portland City Manager Scott Morelli gave alarming testimony: “Currently, we are unable to say whether the air in South Portland is or is not safe to breathe.” I hope a coalition of our neighbors and teachers, community and faith-based leaders, as well as organizations like Maine Audubon and Maine Conservation Voters, will demand the testing and transparency we all deserve. ~ Aaron Bergeron, Portland