Story Archives of 'MTBE'

A new study conducted by the US Geological Survey has found that the gasoline additive MTBE has contaminated drinking water supplies throughout the state much more widely than originally believed.

Oil companies added MTBE to gasoline supplies in order to reach clean air standards.

And in the more populated counties, Hillsboro, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford gasoline was required to contain the additive.

But in the 1990s the chemical was found to be contaminating water supplies in communities across the country, and New Hampshire phased it out as of last year.

The new Geological Survey report suggests that phase out may have been too late.

The study shows that MTBE has contaminated roughly 30 percent of the public drinking water supplies in the state's most populated counties and in 17 percent of the private wells tested in the same area.

And Fred McGarry, at the Department of Environmental Services, which commissioned the report, tells NHPR's Mark Bevis that some of the wells tested have contamination levels higher that state safety standards.

President Bush has asked Congress to deliver an energy bill by the end of the week.

And lawmakers are feverishly trying to finish the job.

New Hampshire Representative Charlie Bass tried to insert a new provision into the bill that would shield MTBE makes from lawsuits.

But it would have created a fund to compensate people affected by the the gasoline additive's leaking into the water supply.

But over the weekend, the plan fell apart.

Now the 2nd District Republican is defending his actions.

NHPR Correspondent Julie Donnelly reports from Washington.

New Hampshire's Attorney General says the recently passed US House Energy bill will hurt the state's chances in court. Of specific concern is a provision in the bill that protects the manufacturers of the gasoline additive MTBE from liability lawsuits. New Hampshire Public Radio's Rebecca Kaufman has more.

The Attorneys General of New Hampshire and thirteen other states have sent a letter to Senator Judd Gregg.

The letter asks Gregg to help derail a part of the Energy Bill.

The bill would shield MtBE manufacturers from prosecution when the chemical contaminates drinking water supplies.

NHPRs David Darman has more.

There's legislation to reduce power plant emissions, a lawsuit against coal-burning plants in the Midwest, and ongoing debate over the gasoline additive MtBE. We'll discuss these, and the overall quality of New Hampshire's air. Trish talks with Ken Colburn, director of the air resources division of New Hampshire's Department of Environment Services. www.des.state.nh.us