http://news.excite.com:80/news/uw/010219/health-51
U.S. Rep. Costello joins fight against MTBE, pumping ethanol Updated 12:00 PM ET February 19, 2001 By Kate Mccann Daily Egyptian Southern Illinois U. (U-WIRE) CARBONDALE, Ill. -- U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello is joining a growing assemblage of politicians fighting to ban a hazardous fuel additive found to contaminate drinking water. Besides curbing potential health hazards, the legislation seeks to hoist the local economy by advocating increased ethanol use. Costello, D-Belleville, called ethanol use a "win-win" situation upon announcing his decision to join the bipartisan group actively trying to phase out MTBE within three years. Unlike some previous MTBE-related legislation, the bill supported by Costello specifically addresses expanding ethanol production. The bill was introduced on Feb. 14. MTBE has not been proven to be a known carcinogen as previously speculated. However, it spoils ground water after seepage occurs because it takes millions of years to break down. Unlike MTBE, ethanol biodegrades at an accelerated rate, decreasing potential for health hazards and serious contamination. Ethanol is a renewable corn-based fuel that burns cleaner by reducing exhaust emissions from harmful pollutants. Illinois carries the distinction as the No. 1 ethanol producer in the country, meaning Costello's legislation would have a favorable effect on the local economy. During an October campaign stop in Marion, then-presidential candidate George W. Bush trumpeted ethanol use and pledged his commitment to the Southern Illinois farming community. Monte Shaw, an official from the Renewable Fuels Association, said the bill not only addresses the "MTBE nightmare," but ensures ethanol will be a strong part of the national energy debate. "It's an environmental fight on one hand," Shaw said, "but it's an energy fight too." While Costello and his political counterparts receive strong support from the Illinois farming community, the Illinois Petroleum Council said it is not feasible to expect MTBE contamination to disappear. IPC Director Daniel Sykuta said phasing out MTBE will not expel traces of it remaining in pipelines and storage tanks. According to Sykuta, three years may not be enough time to execute an MTBE elimination without penalizing consumers. "We could be facing a massive fuel shortage," Sykuta said. "The reality is there is not enough ethanol to replace MTBE. This will have massive consequences if (Congress) does it wrong." Federal law mandates that all gasoline contain 2 percent oxygen in weight. Although both substances conform to the law, ethanol has twice the oxygenate of MTBE, meaning less is needed to comply with Environmental Protection Agency standards. At the local level, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, co-sponsored legislation last week to aid the federal government in phasing out MTBE under the premise of protecting Illinois ground water. MTBE has not been detected in Jackson County, but traces have been found in the drinking water of several Southern Illinois towns, including East Alton, Hardin and Germantown. (C) 2001 Daily Egyptian via U-WIRE Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
