I thought that you would be interested in the following two press releases on issues related to clean air and clean water in the state of California. Boxer's letter will be presented at a CARB hearing on Friday. In the letter, Boxer noted that approximately sixty percent of the state's total air pollution is caused by cars and trucks. Boxer argued that failing to achieve the air quality standards established by the Clean Air Act will not only pose a threat to the environment and health of California citizens, but also result in a loss of federal transportation funding. Over ninety-five percent of California's population is exposed to unhealthy levels of ozone, which exacerbates asthma and other lung diseases.
Children are especially at risk for acute respiratory illness.
Under the bill, MTBE will be gradually phased out in no longer than four years. By 2004, its use would be prohibited. MTBE is an oxygenate that has been added to gasoline since the 1970s to add octane, stretch gasoline supplies, and provide clean-air benefits. But in 1986 it was found to be leaking into water supplies, and it has been contaminating drinking water ever since. This first came to Boxer's attention when MTBE fouled the water supply of Santa Monica, California.