Greg Ganske: “because the EPA knew the potential for widespread MTBE water contamination back in 1987, I think it shares some…”

“because the EPA knew the potential for widespread MTBE water contamination back in 1987, I think it shares some responsibility in helping States remedy contaminated water supplies. Therefore, my bill raises the importance of MTBE within the Safe Drinking Water Act and directs EPA to provide technical assistance to States for the removal of MTBE from water. It is essential that these communities receive some support in their efforts to reclaim their drinking water supplies. My bill would also address concerns about the volatility of ethanol during warm weather months by allowing oxygen-averaging. Some opponents of ethanol have claimed that its higher volatility during warm months makes it inappropriate for use in some markets. The Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 required that refiners blend 2 percent oxygen by weight into all gasoline sold in the reformulated gasoline program. However, when enacting the law, the EPA inserted into the regulations a minimum per-gallon oxygen content requirement. Refiners have said this per-gallon requirement is too restrictive. My bill, H.R. 4011, strikes that regulation in order to allow refiners flexibility in complying with the Clean Air Act.”