AWWA: House Retains MTBE Provision That Would Soak Water Consumers

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http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=165-04212005&site=rss

DENVER, April 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The U.S. House of Representatives today approved an Energy Bill that includes a provision granting gasoline makers defective product liability immunity in cases where water has been contaminated by the additive MTBE. The MTBE "safe harbor" provision effectively shifts the burden of cleanup from the industry that created MTBE to local water providers, communities and consumers.

In response, Jack W. Hoffbuhr, executive director of AWWA, issued the below statement.

"It's very disappointing that so many of our members of Congress today chose to support the MTBE 'safe harbor' provision at the expense of local communities and water consumers. Earlier this week, the Congressional Budget Office categorized the MTBE provision as an unfunded mandate on state and local governments, yet some elected leaders actually voted to invalidate lawsuits brought by their own communities.

"If it were to become law, this legislative end-run would effectively strip communities of their ability to address MTBE water contamination in court. That would saddle everyday citizens with enormous MTBE cleanup bills and the considerable burden of finding new water sources.