A new report prepared by SURBEC Environmental of Norman, Oklahoma for the Coalition confirms that ethanol poses no threat to surface water and ground water. "Ethanol is a naturally-occurring intermediate produced during the fermentation of organic matter in anoxic environments and is expected to rapidly biodegrade in essentially all environments with conditions that support microbial activity," the report states. The report, The Fate and Transport of Ethanol-Blended Gasoline in the Environment, has been submitted by the Coalition to state officials in California who are struggling with the effects of MTBE water contamination.

The report contains the following findings:

• Because biodegradability decreases with increased chemical branching, highly branched oxygenated organic compounds including MTBE will have a higher residence time in the environment. In contrast, the structural characteristics of ethanol favor rapid biodegradation.
• Microorganisms capable of metabolizing ethanol are ubiquitously distributed in the environment and relatively rapid rates of ethanol biodegradation have been measured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
• Ethanol is a short-lived compound in surface waters and subsurface aquifers.

"As Californians look for alternatives to MTBE, we trust this report will encourage them to look favorably upon ethanol, which has provided each of our states with substantial air quality and economic benefits without negatively impacting precious water resources," said Kansas Governor and Coalition Chair Bill Graves.