MTBE liability and the energy bill

Although there are plenty of outrages in the energy bill, argues Gregg Easterbrook at his New Republic weblog, one provision that is not outrageous is the waiver exempting oil companies from liability for using the gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) (Nov. 24). “Democrats are expressing outrage over the MTBE waiver because some enviro fundraisers […]

Although there are plenty of outrages in the energy bill, argues Gregg Easterbrook at his New Republic weblog, one provision that is not outrageous is the waiver exempting oil companies from liability for using the gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) (Nov. 24). “Democrats are expressing outrage over the MTBE waiver because some enviro fundraisers see this chemical as the next one to get people really frightened over, while the tort bar has visions of big settlements dancing in its head.” But Congress mandated the use of MTBE in its 1991 Clean Air Amendments, Easterbrook says, and it is strange to punish petrochemical companies for complying with the wishes of both Republican and Democratic environmental officials. Coverage: H. Josef Hebert, “GOP lawmakers blame suits over gas additive for bill’s delay”, AP/Cleveland Plain Dealer, Nov. 24; Michael Davis, “Energy measure hinges on MTBE dispute”, Houston Chronicle, Nov. 21; “Congress Debates Gasoline Additive Liability”, AP/Fox News, Oct. 7. And this morning it is being reported that the energy bill has died for this year in the Senate, in part because of irreconcilable disputes over the MTBE waivers (Dan Morgan, “Senate Energy Bill Dead for This Year”, Washington Post, Nov. 25)

Comments are closed.