The Problem

There is a 45,000 ton coal storage pile on the Portland Waterfront, spreading dust through the air onto neighboring buildings and cars. This pollution puts our health at risk.

The Past

Coal storage was common in Maine for electricity generation and domestic use a century ago. Cardiopulmonary disease, death, premature birth and birth defects related to high mercury levels in fish are all directly attributable to this practice. Burning coal is described by the Harvard School of Public Health has having over double the mortality rate of PM2.5 particulate exposure as other sources.

The Present

Maine has successfully phased out coal in energy generation and home use in an effort to improve health and transition to more sustainable energy sources. Despite no public use for coal, private industry continues to burn coal in Maine. This coal is stored in Portland in a 45,000 ton pile and loaded and transported by train to the site where it will be burned. In a paper published by Carnegie Mellon University, Cumberland County is described as having over 11 million dollars in annual health costs because of coal storage.

After observing dusty delivery practices and talking with neighbors, we began a dialogue with Portland City leaders, State Lawmakers, Federal Representation, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Neither the State of Maine or the City of Portland require permit or license to store coal. There are no mandatory safety practices for coal storage piles.

The Department of Environmental Protection studied the pile for the past year, although the initial 8 months of data were inaccurate as they used incorrect monitors. Despite DEP communications with the company responsible for the pile, holding multiple meetings with residents and city officials, there have been no substantial improvements in practices to ensure the safety of Portland residents threatened by this pile. The DEP can only make recommendations to the company on safe practices since there are no laws or standards that they can enforce. These laws simply do not exist.

In May 2024, a year into our efforts, a neighbor discovered the pile was burning without oversight. They called the Portland Fire Department who intervened. Just like the burning pile went unnoticed until a concerned citizen found it, we have found that State and City Law Makers and environmental groups are unfamiliar with the dangers of this pile and that it even exists.

The Future

Last spring, the Sierra Club prematurely declared New England coal-free. While no publicly used coal exists in Portland, coal pollution from private industry persists. Portland is one of the last communities in New England suffering from coal pollution.

Coal-Free Portland advocates the end industrial coal storage in Portland, Maine. With the help of our community, we hope to uphold the claim that New England is truly coal free. We must voice our support for ordinances banning large-scale storage with the help of our elected leaders.

We stand on the shoulders of communities around the country dealing with coal storage pollution and advocating for change. We hope to join cities who have banned coal storage like Richmond and Oakland, California.