California
Senator
Barbara
Boxer
California
Senator |
California Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced S. 1037 which would eliminate the use of MTBE in gasoline nationwide. The legislation would allow the EPA to immediately prohibit the use of MTBE in areas where it is found to be leaking into water supplies. As of January 1, 2000, S. 1037 would prohibit the use of MTBE in areas not required by the Clean Air Act to use oxygenates, and would prohibit the use of MTBE nationwide after January 1, 2003. "MTBE's detrimental effects on water quality are certain, while its beneficial effects on water quality are questionable," said Senator Boxer. "It's time to cut our losses and phase out MTBE as soon as possible." |
New Jersey Representative Bob Franks has introduced H.R. 1367, which would phase out the use of MTBE nationwide within three years. H.R. 1398, legislation authored by California Representative Richard Pombo, would immediately ban the use of MTBE. New Jersey Representative Frank Pallone has introduced H.R. 1705, which would eliminate the oxygen requirement in reformulated gasoline and ban the use of MTBE within three years. No legislative action has been scheduled on these bills.
| National agriculture groups recently expressed their disappointment and opposition to S. 645, legislation introduced by California Senator Dianne Feinstein which would repeal the oxygen requirement in reformulated gasoline. In a letter to Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, the groups stated that "much of the new investment in ethanol production capacity since 1990 has been made by farmers in plants that are operated by many farmer-owned cooperatives. Removing the oxygen standard now simply because there is a problem with MTBE would reverse a policy that has not only brought clean air to many American cities, but renewed economic activity in rural America." |  California
Senator |
