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For Immediate Release: February 18, 2002
Media Contact: Claudia Chandler - 916-654-4989

Feb. 19th Workshop Focuses On
California's Phase-Out of MTBE in Gasoline


The California Energy Commission's Fuels and Transportation Committee will conduct an all-day workshop tomorrow to discuss the possible impacts of phasing out methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in the State's gasoline supplies. In response to evidence that MTBE is contaminating California's groundwater and surface water, Governor Gray Davis ordered the phase-out of MTBE by December 31, 2002.

The hearing will be held:

Tuesday, February 19, 2002
Starting at 9:30 a.m.
CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
1516 Ninth Street
Hearing Room A
Sacramento, California
(Wheelchair Accessible)

Audio from the workshop will be broadcast on the Energy Commission's website at:

www.energy.ca.gov/realaudio

Interested participants can also listen to the workshop by telephone by calling, toll-free, 888-823-5065. The telephone operator will ask for the passcode - "Business Meeting" - and the session leader - "Jerome Lee". During the workshop, questions and comments can be e-mailed to:

publicaccess@energy.state.ca.us

Here is the proposed agenda for tomorrow's workshop:

Workshop Agenda
(Revised February 19, 2002)

1. Opening Remarks: California Energy Commissioner Jim Boyd 9:30-9:40
2. Overview of Issues: Senior Fuels Specialist Gordon Schremp 9:40-10:00
3. Presentation on Impact of MTBE Phase-Out Consultants 10:00-12:00
4. Lunch 12:00-1:00
5. Public/Stakeholder Questions on Contractor Report
  1. Gasoline Demand Forecast
  2. Supply of Gasoline and Components
  3. Impact of MTBE Phase Out
  4. Evaluation of Potential Alternative Sources
  5. Barriers to Supply
  6. Alternative Solutions
 1:00-4:30
6. Public Comment
7. Wrap-up and Closing Remarks

The notice of this meeting is available on line from the Energy Commission's website at:

www.energy.ca.gov/mtbe/notices/2002-02-05_workshop_notice.html



Editor's Note: The California Energy Commission is closed today, February 18, 2002, in observance of Washington's Birthday.

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