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The Bluewater Network, a project of the Earth Island Institute, held a press conference in early December held to unite with California farmers with environmentalists, and help to inform the public, as well as, the press, about the dangers of MTBE. MTBE is an additive in gasoline that has grown to be very controversial because of its difficulty to clean when spilled and its water polluting components, which are considered toxic to fish, wildlife and people. "MTBE moves through water 50 times faster than other toxins in gasoline. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called it a possible carcinogen," said Elisa Lynch of the Bluewater Network. Originally introduced into gasoline to produce cleaner air, the chemical has now been found in many wells and reservoirs throughout California. Some recreation areas, such as San Pablo Reservoir and Santa Clara Valley lakes, have introduced boating restrictions and bans spurred by the appearance of MTBE two years ago in their water. |
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According to Lynch, though many states have passed a ban on MTBE the deadline is far away, which can be as far as the year 2002. In some cases, the use of MTBE has even increased since the bans have been passed. The Bluewater Network would like to see that oil refiners use ethanol instead of MTBE. "Ethanol is a renewable resource that doesn't have the water polluting components that MTBE has. It's non-toxic in comparison to MTBE," said Lynch. Ethanol has the same components as MTBE to add octane and clean out the air emissions to gasoline without all the pollutants. The effects that it has in the water are much less and breaks down much faster. The Bluewater Network would like to see the use of MTBE stopped all together, especially in the areas that don't require an oxygenate in gasoline, like Northern California. Sacramento is the only city in Northern California that requires an oxygenate and that would need to replace the MTBE, according to Lynch. There is no reason why the other cities in Northern California can't stop the use of MTBE, especially since there is no requirement to replace it with an oxygenate." "We would like to see California move their deadline. After all, water resources and public health are our main concerns," said Lynch. |
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