MTBE Breaking News

The following articles are breaking news about MTBE, commentary from doctors and other individuals on the dangers of MTBE, and other MTBE information from news sources across the country and around the world.

Weitz & Luxenberg reviews MTBE cases related to water systems that require remediation.  We are not litigating any personal injury claims involving MTBE.

MTBE Found Near Frederick Co. Gas Station

September 28, 2006, The Associated Press

Elevated levels of MTBE were found in the groundwater beneath a Frederick County gas station.

Samples from a monitoring well at the Jefferson BP gas station had maximum MTBE concentrations of 1,744 parts per billion, or 87 times the state level.

Health Board Set to Discuss Lake Boon Contamination

August 30, 2006 (MetroWest Daily News)

A year later, Lake Boon, Mass. is still recovering from the finding that some of its wells were found to be contaminated with MTBE. In an effort to monitor the progress of the cleanup, the Board of Health will hold a public hearing in which consultants present their most recent findings from water testing.

MTBE was discovered in numerous wells near the Citigo at 706 Main St. and the Department of Environmental Protection determined the contamination was caused by a release from the gas station.

Levels were reportedly so high in places that two wells tested at more than double the state standard.

MTBE Removed From NH Gas

July 20, 2006 (WCSH6.com)

Gas stations in New Hampshire are no longer selling gasoline with the additive MTBE in it, mainly for fear of being sued. In the past, MTBE has been found in drinking water. Now, it will be removed from fuel, and some companies are substituting it with ethanol, a corn-based additive. The ban will take effect in January of 2007.

MTBE ban good for water supply

September 2nd, 2005 (pbn.com)

Early last month, Rhode Island enacted a law that bans the additive methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) from being added to gasoline sold in Rhode Island, effective June 1, 2007.

Some residences and businesses in Plumsteadville are forced to use bottled and filtered water while an investigation into the source of the MTBE contamination recently detected in their water supply continues.

August 25th, 2005 (zwire.com)

Methyl tertiary butyl ether, more commonly known as MTBE, is a chemical additive used to make gasoline burn cleaner. In recent years, the contaminant, a suspected carcinogen, has been found in area groundwater in neighborhoods throughout Doylestown and its surrounding communities. Plumsteadville residences and businesses located in the Clemens shopping center and its general vicinity are temporarily using bottled water and filtering systems, a series of charcoal filters placed underground at the point of entry before the tap, to remove the additive until more information is available concerning the presence of MTBE in their water supply.

New Hampshire Sinks MTBE Shield for Exxon, Chevron

July 25, 2005 (bloomberg.com)

New Hampshire is suing oil refiners such as Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., and MTBE producers such as Lyondell Chemical Co. and Valero Energy Corp., to recoup the cost of cleaning up spills. The issue is so sensitive in New Hampshire that the state's two Republican senators, Judd Gregg and John Sununu, helped defeat energy legislation in 2003 and 2004 that contained a liability shield for MTBE producers.

Highest concentration of specific ground water contamination in northeast US

July 19th, 2005 (medicalnewstoday.com)

The presence of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a component used to add oxygen to gasoline to meet Clean Air Act standards, has been detected as a contaminant in ground water supplies underlying urban areas, particularly in the northeastern United States. The study is published in the July-August issue of Ground Water.

MTBE legislation signed into law

July 8th, 2005 (zwire.com)

PROVIDENCE -- Gov. Donald L. Carcieri signed legislation Wednesday that prohibits gasoline with the additive MTBE from being sold in Rhode Island. The new law will help protect groundwater supplies from gasoline that spills or leaks from underground storage tanks.

Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Energy Bill

June 28, 2005 (news.yahoo.com)

And unlike the House bill, it is silent on giving aid to larger oil companies and refiners who want protection against environmental lawsuits because one of their products, the gasoline additive MTBE, has contaminated drinking water in hundreds of communities. House leaders have insisted an MTBE waiver be part of energy legislation.

MTBE Lawsuit Costs Dominate Energy Bill Debate

April 4, 2005 (www.planetark.com)

Powerful House Republicans, including Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, want to revive an energy bill this month, including a provision to protect oil companies and other MTBE makers from defective product lawsuits, meaning they could not be sued simply for manufacturing MTBE.

They contend that the Clean Air Act required refiners to use additives like MTBE to reduce ozone, and refiners should not be punished for following the law.

Moderate Republicans and many Democrats in the Senate vehemently oppose the liability shield as a get-out-of-jail free card that would allow companies like ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and Lyondell Chemical Co. to duck liability and stick communities with the cleanup bill.

MtBE mess is widespread

January 22, 2005 (www.fosters.com)

"That’s a national problem," said Gary Lynn, supervisor of the department’s petroleum remediation section. "When you have MtBE as a component in gasoline, the small releases have the ability to get into the water table."

MDE Emergency Regulations to Cover MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) and Other Petroleum Products

January 22, 2005 (www.allamericanpatriots.com)

“For Maryland families that rely on wells, these new measures will provide additional assurance that their water supplies are clean and safe from MTBE and other petroleum products,” said Secretary Philbrick. "We have the ability to keep pollutants out of our drinking water and are going to do so. These are tough, but necessary regulations to strengthen our environmental laws."

Instead of burdening taxpayers in affected areas with the costs of removing MTBE from their drinking water, Weitz & Luxenberg will aggressively go after the oil companies responsible. We want to do what is best not only for our clients, but for the environment and future generations as well. You have a right to clean, safe drinking water, and Weitz & Luxenberg is a powerful ally to have on your side. If your municipality needs our help, please fill out this simple form.

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see also:

What is MTBE? MTBE news: What is MTBE?
A chemical produced for gasoline contaminates your town's water supply

In Your Area Learn how dangerous MTBE affects you in your area
Is MTBE causing harm in your area? Find out here

Your Rep's Vote Voting Record on HR 6: MTBE related Energy Policy Act of 2005
The MTBE related voting record of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (HR 6)