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Illinois Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R) has reintroduced a bill that would phase out MTBE within three years, aiming to pave the way for ethanol. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Tim Johnson (R-Ill.).
The MTBE Elimination Act (S. 265) would phase out the additive but leave the oxygen standard in place. In the meantime, the bill would require that all gasoline containing MTBE be properly labeled, provide funding for MTBE research and ask EPA to help communities test water supplies for MTBE. So far, four Midwest ethanol supporters, including Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) have cosponsored the bill.
"Tainted drinking water is an unacceptable price to pay for cleaner air, particularly when there is a viable alternative to MTBE," Fitzgerald stated. "We should eliminate MTBE without sacrificing air quality, and I believe we can do that by promoting ethanol...