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1999
ANNUAL REPORT
MTBE
Executive Order Details MTBE
Phase Out
On March 25, 1999 Governor Davis issued an Executive
Order directing state agencies to phase out the use
of MTBE in gasoline by December 31, 2002. WSPA supported
the Executive Order applauding the Administration for
its recognition that an immediate ban on MTBE could
have a devastating impact on California consumers and
the economy. WSPA also stressed that federal legislation
would be necessary to provide maximum flexibility for
refiners to produce non-oxygenated gasoline and reduce
the impacts of an MTBE phase out. Throughout the year,
WSPA remained in strong support of federal legislation
sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (S 266) and Congressman
Brian Bilbray (HR11), both of which would keep California’s
strict performance standards intact while exempting
California from the federal oxygenate mandate.
WSPA communicated at both the state, local and federal
level to build a coalition in support of HR 11 and S
266 which included every member of the California congressional
delegation, key environmental organizations, air districts,
water agencies, business and taxpayer organizations
and the Davis Administration.
WSPA continued its partnership with the Association
of California Water Agencies (ACWA) preparing several
key research reports on issues such as UST Management,
Ethanol Fate and Transport, and Remediation and Treatment
Technologies for MTBE in groundwater.
As the year drew to a close, WSPA was successful in
helping to defeat legislative attempts to accelerate
the phase out, and other measures which would have added
uncertainty for refiners in meeting the Governors timetable.
As of December, HR 11 awaited consideration by the full
House Committee on Health and the Environment, with
little prospect for passage as political pressure from
the corn states intensified.
Future challenges for WSPA and California refiners
will include keeping the phase out timetable intact,
while also continuing advocacy to support repeal of
the federal oxygenate mandate.
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