Alexander Calls for an End to the MTBE Gas Additive;
Declares Nation Should Opt for the Cleaner Alternative of
Ethanol
Copyright 1999 Business Wire
March 11, 1999
March 11, 1999--Presidential candidate Lamar Alexander today
called for an
expanded use of ethanol, in place of the MTBE gas additive.
"We don't have to poison the water in order to clean the air.
Ethanol is the answer," Alexander said.
"Because it is biodegradable, ethanol is a logical and safe
substitute for MTBE
and it should be used for that purpose." The federal Clean Air
Act requires gasoline to be oxygenated. In many states,
including California, Maine and Massachusetts, the approved
additive for
oxygenation has been
MBTE, a petroleum-based product. Although it was unknown at the
time of its
approval, MTBE causes serious groundwater contamination. Ethanol
meets the
strict new ozone-pollution standards issued by the
EPA, lowers vehicle exhaust pollution and reduces ozone formation.
"Nationally, ethanol
production increases farm income by $ 4.5 billion annually and is
responsible
for nearly 200,000 jobs. Just one additional corn-processing plant
with the
capacity to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol would result in
an estimated
1100 new jobs and create an additional $
35 million in personal income," Alexander continued.
"Thus, helping the nation protect its environment is good
business for Iowa." Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is
Lamar Alexander's national campaign
chair. Other supporters include Governor Huckabee of Arkansas,
Governor
Sundquist of Tennessee and U.S.
Senators Thompson and Frist of Tennessee.
Paid for by Alexander for President, Inc. Contributions are not
deductible for
federal income tax purposes
CONTACT: Alexander for President Exploratory Committee,
Nashville
Steve Schmidt, 615/620-2000
info@lamaralexander.com
www.lamaralexander.com
Comments on this posting?
Click here to
post a public comment on the Trash Talk
Bulletin Board.
Click here to send a private
comment to the Junkman.