GOP backs firms' liability relief from MTBE lawsuits

[jamesinca]

GOP backs firms' liability relief from MTBE lawsuits

Jane Kay, Chronicle Environment Writer Wednesday, October 8, 2003

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Chemical and petroleum industry manufacturers of the gas additive MTBE have support of powerful Republicans for a provision in a federal energy bill offering relief from potential liability over polluted water supplies.

The liability exemption is part of the comprehensive energy bill before a congressional conference committee attempting to resolve differences between Senate and House of Representatives versions. The energy package may come to a vote by both bodies before the end of next week.

The provision would give makers of MTBE immunity from growing legal claims that the gasoline additive fouled water supplies across the country. Current cleanup costs have been estimated at $29 billion. Among the backers of the provision is House Majority Leader Tom Delay of Texas, where most MTBE is made.

In 1990, amendments to the federal Clean Air Act required the addition of oxygenates -- either MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) or ethanol -- in gasoline as a way to reduce air pollution for regions with smoggy skies. But within years the ether product was leaking from underground storage tanks into groundwater, creating plumes miles long.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/10/08/MN230374.DTL

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This literally has Tom Delay written all over it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Kick

*

[Karenina]

2. Unbelievable.

:puke: