UST Program - Advisory Program
October 8, 1997
To the Members of the California State Senate:
I have on this date signed three bills (SB 521, Mountjoy; AB 592 (Kuehl); and SB 1189 (Hayden) which address several health and environmental concerns about the use of MTBE and other oxygenates in California's Cleaner Burning Gasoline (CBG).
This package does not include either a review of the effectiveness of the 1998 state and federal standards for underground storage tanks (USTS) or an evaluation of surface water bodies serving drinking water sources. In addition there is a need to review the viability of alternative oxygenates.
To address these issues, I am requesting:
- The State Water Resources Control Board, not later than
December 1, 1997, to convene an advisory panel of knowledgeable
people, including representatives from industry, local
governments, and water agencies, to:
- Review existing databases of UST contamination sites
to determine if there is a leak history associated
with UST systems meeting the 1998 federal and state
standards; and if so, identifying appropriate measures
that would assure the prevention and detection of
oxygenate releases from retail marketing facilities.
- Evaluate refueling facilities and practices
at marinas located on surface water bodies serving
as drinking water sources, and identify if any further
upgrades should be made to eliminate releases to the
water body.
- Review existing databases of UST contamination sites
to determine if there is a leak history associated
with UST systems meeting the 1998 federal and state
standards; and if so, identifying appropriate measures
that would assure the prevention and detection of
oxygenate releases from retail marketing facilities.
- By May 1. 1998, the California Energy Commission (CEC)
shall submit to the Secretary of the California Environmental
Protection Agency and the Director of the Department
of Health Services an evaluation of MTBE and alternative
oxygenates, The evaluation shall include:
- Alternative additives which could be used in lieu
of MTBE.
- In conjunction with the Air Resources Board, the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Health Services the CEC shall review the relative air quality effects and potential environmental risks and benefits of alternative oxygenates and the present and future ability of alternative oxvizenates.
- Alternative additives which could be used in lieu
of MTBE.
These actions are necessary to ensure that we are comprehensively addressing possible human and environmental health issues associated with oxygenates.
Cordially,
[Original signed by:]
PETE WILSON