Louise Slaughter: “Mr. Speaker, the health of the American public could be seriously threatened. All across the United States for the past…”

“Mr. Speaker, the health of the American public could be seriously threatened. All across the United States for the past 30 years, a cancer-causing chemical has contaminated our drinking water. In New York State alone, over 1,500 sites have been contaminated. This carcinogen, MTBE, has been added to gasoline as an octane enhancer since the 1970's, and over these past 30 years, the public has learned that MTBE can cause, among other things, lymphoma, liver, testicular and kidney tumors. Outrageously, the MTBE industry knew of the chemical's environmental dangers before putting it into widespread use, according to the United States Conference of Mayors. Responding to the serious public health threat posed by MTBE, the New York legislature passed, and Governor Pataki signed, legislation to ban the use, sale, or importation of fuels containing MTBE. Upon signing the legislation, Governor Pataki said that 'the use of MTBE in gasoline has significant environmental impacts on groundwater' and 'New Yorkers deserve clean air and water.' Mr. Speaker all Americans deserve and expect clean water and clean air, but unfortunately while New York and other States like California and Connecticut are taking steps to protect our water, this energy bill conference report would take steps not to protect the public, but to protect the MTBE manufacturers at the expense of their health.”