Illinois Now Bans MTBE

July 26, 2001

Illinois Governor George Ryan helped the ethanol industry Wednesday by signing a bill banning MTBE in the state. Ryan said the bill should be seen as a boost to the nation's corn growers as well as the environment, since MTBE has been known to pollute groundwater in several states.

"This law bans (MTBE) use in Illinois fuel and gives us the opportunity to use more ethanol produced from Illinois-grown corn," Ryan said. "We will produce fuel that promotes clean air and does not contaminate our drinking water." The legislation bans the use, manufacture or sale of MTBE as a fuel additive and the transportation of fuel containing MTBE in Illinois beginning in 2004.

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board member and Belleville, IL, corn grower Greg Guenther said the bill has been a long time coming. "Considering the fact Illinois groundwater for years has been polluted from that noxious chemical (MTBE) and the effect will be felt for years, I think Governor Ryan definitely made the right decision."

Several other states have legislation in the works to ban MTBE this year: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. Eleven other states are also planning to ban the petroleum-based additive and focus on ethanol as a fuel additive over the next three years.