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Conti Introduces Bill Banning MTBE in
Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG -- Senator
Joe Conti (R-Bucks) introduced legislation today that would ban the sale of
methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline in the Commonwealth.
"Senate Bill 824 calls for a five-year phase-out of
MTBE in liquid fuels," Conti said. "MTBE has contaminated the groundwater in at
least nineteen counties across our state, with Bucks and Montgomery Counties
among the worst polluted. This is an environmental hazard that must be stopped
before it spreads."
MTBE is a man-made chemical compound used as a fuel
additive in gasoline. Since 1979, it has been used as an octane-enhancer as a
replacement for lead. By adding oxygen to gasoline, MTBE helps gasoline burn
more completely and thereby reduces air contamination by lowering carbon
monoxide levels.
Over the past few years, however, animal research
has shown that MTBE emissions can be carcinogenic. Consumption of MTBE has also
been linked to increased rates of cancer in animals and, pending ongoing study,
potentially poses a similar risk in humans.
In addition to health effects, MTBE also poses an
environmental risk. Due to its low biodegradability and high water solubility,
MTBE blends quickly into groundwater. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, low levels of MTBE can easily render drinking water supplies
undrinkable due to its offensive taste and odor. MTBE's turpentine-like flavor
is very difficult to remove once it gets into a private well or public water
supply.
"Should Pennsylvania enact Senate Bill 824," Conti
said, "we will become one of nearly twenty states who have enacted a ban,
including California, New York, and Michigan. Due to the availability of
alternative fuel additives, such as ethanol, which are far less harmful to our
health and the environment, it makes sense that Pennsylvania would ban MTBE."
The House of Representatives has introduced two
bills banning MTBE as well: House Bill 620 (Godshall, R-Montgomery) and House
Bill 718 (George, D-Clearfield).
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