Even conventional gasoline contains a varying amount of MTBE, from 3 percent to 8 percent by volume, as an octane booster. RFG is primarily used in the Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads areas of Virginia but may appear in other parts of the state as well. These areas are under nonattainment or maintenance designations by EPA for the pollutant ozone. The use of RFG has contributed to a reduction of more than 6,900 tons per year in motor vehicle emissions. However, it is unclear what percentage of those emissions reductions can be attributed to the oxygenate exclusively.
Investigation is under way to determine that percentage.
In July 1999, the panel released recommendations that Congress remove the oxygenate mandate for RFG and that MTBE should be substantially reduced or eliminated. If MTBE is eliminated, and regardless of whether the 2 percent oxygenate mandate remains, it is likely that refiners will need something to act as a substitute. Ethanol seems to be the most viable option. Most ethanol comes from grain and is difficult to transport and blend, but there is new technology allowing ethanol to be produced from agricultural wastes. Copyright 2000 Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.