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the Missouri House of RepresentativesWhereas, the federal Environmental Protection Agency's reformulated gasoline program uses methyl tertiary butyl ether or MTBE as a gasoline additive which makes gasoline burn more efficiently and reduces air pollution; and
Whereas, while MTBE is not harmful if completely combusted, contamination of water and air can occur if gasoline is allowed to evaporate or leak into the ground; and
Whereas, two recent spills in Missouri have resulted in ground water pollution, which the impact of is yet to be determined; and
Whereas, as recently as March of this year, the federal government took steps to ban MTBE because of continuing reports that the chemical has contaminated drinking water and threatened human health; and
Whereas, the President of the United States has announced that he wants Congress to replace the Clean Air Act provision that governs additives such as MTBE and ethanol with a renewable fuel standard for all gasoline; and
Whereas, as a result of the environmental and health concerns over MTBE, the states of California and New Jersey have already opted out of the EPA's reformulated gasoline program; and
Whereas, at a time when gasoline prices are on the rise, eliminating the use of the more costly MTBE treated gasoline could provide Missouri consumers with more than six cents a gallon in much needed tax relief; and
Whereas, in the St. Louis region, MTBE came into use in the summer of 1999 as a method of reducing the area's ozone problem and will be used again this summer because of the governmental red tape involved in removing MTBE from the market:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninetieth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge the Governor to allow St. Louis to opt out of the EPA's reformulated gasoline program until a safer substitute for MTBE is found; and
Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the Governor.
Offered by Representative John LoudonReturn to
the Missouri House of Representatives