EPA May Support MTBE Phase-Out

March 3, 2000

An official of the Environmental Protection Agency says the gasoline additive MTBE poses a risk significant enough possibly to justify its elimination from the nation’s reformulated gasoline program. The Renewable Fuels Association says ethanol easily can meet the nation’s oxygenate needs in the absence of MTBE.

"EPA is very concerned that MTBE presents a significant risk to the nation’s drinking water supply," Assistant Administrator Robert Perciasepe told the environmental subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee. "Consequently, EPA believes that a comprehensive approach must include consideration of either reducing or eliminating the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive in an expeditious and practicable time frame. We believe there are alternatives, such as ethanol, but adequate lead time is necessary."

Eric Vaughn, RFA president, told the subcommittee ethanol production "can be easily increased to meet the clean air-clean water challenge. The air quality gains provided by reformulated gasoline with oxygenates should not be sacrificed as MTBE use is reduced. We do not have to throw out vital parts of the Clean Air Act to protect our drinking water."

Ethanol can replace MTBE by 2004 "without price spikes or supply shortages," Vaughn added.