GOP OK Tentative Gas Additive Deal

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http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-energy-bill,0,4306180.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines
GOP OK Tentative Gas Additive Deal


By H. JOSEF HEBERT
Associated Press Writer

October 17, 2003, 8:43 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Republicans crafting a broad energy bill have tentatively agreed to protect the gasoline additive MTBE from environmental lawsuits as part of a package that would double the use of corn-based ethanol, congressional sources said late Friday.

But final acceptance of the proposal, offered by House Majority Leader Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., was held up over a dispute on when the liability waiver should go into effect, said the sources, who cautioned a final package has yet to be completed.

The liability protection for manufacturers of MTBE, a petroleum-based additive found to foul drinking water in numerous states, has been among the thorniest issues that has stalled progress on comprehensive energy legislation.

Some senators were balking at a House demand that the waiver be retroactive to Oct. 1, concerned that such a move might jeopardize recent lawsuits that have been filed over MTBE water contamination, including one announced Oct. 6 by the state of New Hampshire.

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