MTBE Hearing

For Immediate Release: November 11, 1998
Media Contact: Claudia Chandler -- 916 654-4989

Energy Commission Holds Public
Hearing on MTBE Report This
Friday, November 13

Who:

A California Energy Commission staff report released recently, has concluded that an immediate phase out of the gasoline additive MTBE would trigger skyrocketing gas prices and disrupt the economy. But the report says MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) could be eased out in six years with minimum economic pain.

What:

In a follow up to the staff analysis entitled Supply and Cost of Alternatives to MTBE in Gasoline, the Energy Commission will hold a public hearing on the report's findings and how staff arrived at the conclusions. The staff report was mandated by the Governor and the Legislature.

Where:

Hearing Room A, California Energy Commission, 1516 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California

When:

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, November 13, 1998

Why:

The hearing will be presided over by Commissioners Jananne Sharpless and Michal (spelling correct) Moore, chair and vice chair, respectively of the Commission's Fuels Committee. It is being held to solicit views on the report from the public at large, as well as representatives from the oil companies, oxygenate product makers, other petroleum industry players and officials of the California Air Resources Board and Department of Health Services.

The Energy Commission will consider far-reaching comments on the staff effort before it is adopted as a final Commission report by the full five-member panel. If approved at a regularly scheduled Commission business meeting, the report goes to the Governor and the Legislature for action.

Note to Editors: Copies of the report will be available at the hearing. It is also available on line at:

www.energy.ca.gov/mtbe.

The hearing will be "broadcast" over the Internet at:

www.energy.ca.gov/realaudio.

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