Legislative Background
Recent Action on Reformulated Gasoline
Various legislative proposals are pending in Congress addressingthe use of MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) in reformulatedgasoline. These range from an outright ban to a phase-out to makingoxygenates in gasoline optional. Initially, proposals focusedon the use of MTBE in California, where a significant amount ofthe oxygenate has been found in ground water, and Federal regulationshave prevented the State from adopting a flexible approach tooxygenate requirements. However, as MTBE has been detected inwater sources in other parts of the country, broader legislationhas been introduced.Senate Legislation. Three major MTBE bills are pendingin the Senate: S. 266, introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (CAD),…
