California senators targeting MTBE use in the state

California's U.S. senators are questioning the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in California gasoline because it has been found in water supplies. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) plans to file a bill in January to remove the federal requirement that gasoline contain oxygenates such as MTBE to reduce smog. The bill would apply only to California. She said, "This is a particularly serious problem in California, where MTBE leaks are occurring with more frequency." Rep. Brian Bilbray

Dec. 22, 1997

2 min read

California's U.S. senators are questioning the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in California gasoline because it has been found in water supplies.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) plans to file a bill in January to remove the federal requirement that gasoline contain oxygenates such as MTBE to reduce smog. The bill would apply only to California.

She said, "This is a particularly serious problem in California, where MTBE leaks are occurring with more frequency."

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) has filed a similar bill in the House of Representatives.

Sacramento hearing

Meanwhile, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) held a field hearing in Sacramento on the issue. The environment and public works committee received testimony on the benefits and liabilities of continued use of the additive, the health and environmental implications, alternatives, and methods to prevent future water contamination.

At the hearing, the Association of California Water Agencies urged that MTBE be banned.

Boxer said other options would be increased monitoring for MTBE in wells and groundwater, tighter controls on gasoline storage, increased help for monitoring air and water, and initiatives to help local communities whose water supplies are contaminated.

She said leaks from tanks and pipelines have affected at least 13 California lakes, including Lake Tahoe. She said MTBE has contaminated more than half of the water supply of the city of Santa Monica.

State Sen. Tom Hayden said a $5 million state cleanup fund and tighter controls will provide some aid for California communities. He said a recent University of California at Los Angeles study identified MTBE as a possible carcinogen.

The state legislature has urged more study on MTBE use and may consider a ban.