Revisions to Oil Spill Regulations

The Maine Oil Spill Advisory Committee held a hearing to review proposed revisions to the state's regulations related to oil terminals and vessels transporting petroleum products. The proposed revisions contain several references to vessels transporting petroleum products on the state waterways. AWO's major objection to the Maine regulations relates to a proposed requirement that vessels stay 12 miles offshore, except when approaching Maine's ports. This requirement has been modified to read, "it is the express desire of the state for all vessels to remain 12 miles offshore, except when prudent navigation dictates otherwise."