South Portland, Maine's moratorium on shipments of Alberta oilsands products may signal a tough road ahead for a proposed alternative to the Keystone XL pipeline.
“The city council in South Portland, Maine, has placed a moratorium on shipments of Canadian oilsands product, a move that was met with 'cheers and a standing ovation,' according to local news sources,” reports the Huffington Post.
“Portland Pipe Line Corp. had planned to reverse the flow of a pipeline between South Portland and Montreal, in order to bring oilsands product to the Atlantic coast, the Portland Press Herald reports.”
“But a grassroots political movement has succeeded in stopping that, at least temporarily…but council is already working on a law that would ban oilsands shipments permanently.”
The American Petroleum Institute has responded by suggesting it may sue over the moratorium which it regards both as illegal and unconstitutional.
FULL STORY: South Portland, Maine, Passes Oilsands Moratorium

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie