This common sense approach allows states to make decisions on how to deal with the federal oxygenate mandate, Inhofe said. I am happy to join with my good friend Sen. Feinstein in introducing this bill today. As we are both former mayors, we truly understand the proper role of states and local governments in environmental protection. MTBE is a fuel additive used to meet the requirement of the use of gasoline with a two percent oxygenate under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. MTBE is currently the most prevalent oxygenate used to comply with this requirement.
Ethanol is the next most commonly used.
Inhofe s legislation, S. 1886, gives states the ability to waive out of the EPA s oxygenate requirement. By notifying the Administrator of the EPA, states would be able to opt out of the oxygenate mandate. All other provisions of the reformulated gasoline program would still apply. Additionally, the bill authorizes the EPA to conduct a study on whether voluntary standards are necessary to prevent and control the release of MTBE from underground storage tanks. It also authorizes the EPA to work with the industry on voluntary standards after the report is finalized.