REPORT TITLE: 
Gasoline additive


DESCRIPTION:
Prohibits the sale of gasoline that contains methyl tertiary-
butyl ether.  Effective July 1, 2001.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        3021
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO GASOLINE.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  Since 1979, methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE),
 
 2 a man-made chemical, has been added to gasoline to boost octane
 
 3 levels and to provide cleaner burning fuels.  According to the
 
 4 Environmental Protection Agency, MTBE reduces carbon monoxide by
 
 5 almost twenty per cent.
 
 6      The legislature finds that traces of MTBE has appeared in
 
 7 ground water in some states, possibly through leakage from
 
 8 underground storage tank systems, spills at gasoline stations,
 
 9 pipelines, spillage at industrial and refueling facilities, and
 
10 accidental spills during transport.
 
11      The presence of MTBE in ground water is a cause of concern,
 
12 because MTBE has been reported to cause cancer in laboratory
 
13 animals.  However, the Environmental Protection Agency needs to
 
14 evaluate further the available information before estimating the
 
15 potential cancer risk to humans from drinking water.
 
16      The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the sale of gasoline
 
17 containing MTBE beginning July 1, 2001.
 

 
 
Page 2                                                     3021
                                     H.B. NO.           
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1      SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding
 
 2 a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
 
 3 follows:
 
 4      "§    -      Gasoline content; prohibition.  No gasoline
 
 5 sold in the State for use in motor vehicles shall contain methyl
 
 6 tertiary-butyl ether."
 
 7      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
 8      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.
 
 9 
 
10                        INTRODUCED BY:____________________________