A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to provide for a gradual reduction in the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether, and for other purposes.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 13, 1999
Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit, effective January 1, 2000, the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in areas of the United States that are not specified nonattainment areas required to meet an oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline under the Clean Air Act. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prohibit immediately the use of MTBE in an area if it is leaking into ground or surface water. Directs the Administrator to require by January 1, 2001, and 2002, reductions in the quantity of MTBE that may be used in gasoline of one-third and two-thirds, respectively. Requires persons selling gasoline that contains MTBE at retail to label the fuel dispensing system with a notice that the gasoline contains MTBE. Prohibits, effective January 1, 2003, the use of MTBE in gasoline. Directs the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the behavior, toxicity, carcinogenicity, health effects, and biodegradability in air and water of ethanol, olefins, aromatics, benzene, and alkylate.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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