Oil Companies Increase MTBE Use
in Northern California

The California Energy Commission's second quarter report of MTBE use in the state documents that MTBE use is rising, particularly in Northern California, where there is no federal or state oxygenate requirement.  The report found that MTBE use had increased by 15 million gallons, or 14 percent, from the first to second quarters of 2000. 

According to the report, Northern California will likely use 500 million gallons of MTBE in 2000.  Yet Sacramento is the only region of Northern California that is required to use oxygenates to reduce ozone pollution, accounting for approximately 100 million gallons of MTBE use per year.  "California agencies and oil companies claim that they will eliminate MTBE as soon as they get a waiver of the federal oxygenate requirement.  If lifting the oxygenate requirement is the answer, why are refiners continuing to use MTBE in 80 percent of northern California, where it's not even required?" said Elisa Lynch, Clean Fuels Campaign Director of the Bluewater Network.