|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
CONTACT: Amy Giancoli
Hartman |
State Rep. Frank Dermody |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dermody working to phase out MTBE
HARRISBURG, March 5 – State Rep. Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, said that Pennsylvania must ensure that its drinking water is safe and not contaminated by MTBE, a gasoline additive.
Dermody has introduced legislation (H.B. 436) that would phase out over five years the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether, commonly known as MTBE, and allow the Department of Environmental Protection to enforce the law and establish penalties for noncompliance.
“My bill will ensure that the potential health risks of this chemical are not ignored,” Dermody said. “It is our obligation to protect others from any further contamination while we can still manage it.”
MTBE is a oxygenate chemical that raises the oxygen content of gasoline. The heightened oxygen level allows the gasoline to burn more efficiently and reduces harmful emissions from automobiles.
However, research indicates that the chemical is potentially a carcinogen at high doses and the Environmental Protection Agency is continuing to determine its health effects.
Studies have detected MTBE in ground water and, in some cases, drinking water. Drinking water can become contaminated whenever there are fuel spills, leaks, improper disposals and, to some extent, precipitation combined with MTBE in the air.
MTBE has been used heavily to comply with oxygenate requirements set by the U.S. Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 to control air pollution. Other alternative oxygenates, such as ethanol and RFG fuel, are not used as frequently because of their cost.
“Economics must not have the greatest influence in this decision. The prevalence of fuel spills and automobile accidents make it necessary to step back and consider the viable alternatives for gasoline additives,” Dermody said.
The bill has been referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for consideration.
###agh/2007/mjh
l:\print\releases\mtbe.033