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7545(m)), which requires the use of oxygenated
fuels to lower the level of carbon monoxide in non-
attainment areas, has resulted in excessive health-re-
lated complaints in areas of the State of Alaska in
which M–T–B–E oxygenated fuels have been used;
(2) consumer hotlines in Fairbanks, Alaska and
Anchorage, Alaska have received hundreds of un-
usual medical complaints (including complaints of
abnormal headaches, sore throats, asthma, light
headedness, burning sensation in eyes and lungs,
shortness of breath, skin rashes, numbness, swollen
tissue, and abnormal congestion) in geographic areas
in which M–T–B–E oxygenated fuels are in use;
(3) tests conducted by employees at the envi-
ronmental health laboratory at the Centers for Dis-
ease Control revealed a measurable quantity of
methyl tertiary butyl ether in the blood of workers
exposed to M–T–B–E oxygenated fuels;
(4) representatives of the Centers for Disease
Control testified before Congress that more studies
were needed to determine the health effects of expo-
sure to the substance;
(5) no studies have been completed to measure
the chronic effects of exposure to M–T–B–E
oxygenated fuels in cold climates on public health,
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particularly in areas that have temperatures that
regularly reach 50 degrees below zero Fahrenheit;
(6) because of numerous health complaints and
the conclusions of the State epidemiologist of the
Alaska Division of Public Health, the Governor of
Alaska suspended the M–T–B–E oxygenated fuels
program in Fairbanks, Alaska;
(7) after the program was suspended in Fair-
banks, the State epidemiologist concluded that there
is a possibility that similar illnesses are being caused
by the M–T–B–E oxygenated fuels program in An-
chorage;
(8) additional scientific studies on the health ef-
fects of M–T–B–E oxygenated fuels need to be com-
pleted;
(9) the public should not be exposed to M–T–
B–E oxygenated fuels until studies are completed
and the public health risk has been assessed; and
(10) ethanol blend oxygenated fuels are known
to separate from the gasoline base at ultacold tem-
peratures and may therefore have drivability and
safety implications in Alaska.
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SEC. 2. WAIVER OF THE M–T–B–E OXYGENATED FUELS RE-
QUIREMENT
Section 211(m)(3) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
7545(m)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing new subparagraphs:
‘‘(D) If requested in writing by an affected local
government within a title I nonattainment area for
carbon monoxide in Alaska, the Governor of the
State of Alaska may petition for a waiver and the
Administrator may waive, in whole or in part, the
requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) with respect
to an area within the State of Alaska that is des-
ignated under title I as a nonattainment area for
carbon monoxide, if the Administrator finds that
compliance with the requirements should be waived
for one or more of the following reasons:
‘‘(i) Compliance is not technologically or
economically feasible because the technology
needed to comply is not commercially available
or because the use of M–T–B–E oxygenated
fuels would increase the cost of commercially
available fuel supplies by more than 150 per-
cent of the national average cost of using M–
T–B–E oxygenated fuels in nonattainment
areas outside of Alaska;
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‘‘(ii) Compliance would be unreasonable
due to unique geographical or meteorological
factors;
‘‘(ii) Compliance could or does cause harm-
ful health effects;
‘‘(iv) The use of M–T–B–E oxygenated
fuels increases aldehyde emissions appreciably.
‘‘(E) The Administrator shall grant or deny a
petition for a waiver submitted under subparagraph
(D) not later than 60 days after receiving the peti-
tion.
‘‘(F)(i) The Administrator shall conduct a
study that compares the probable health risks and
costs of title I carbon monoxide nonattainment in
Alaska with the probable health risks and costs of
increased noncarbon monoxide emissions (such as
aldehyde emissions) associated with the use of M–T–
B–E oxygenated fuels in Alaska.
‘‘(ii) The Administrator shall report the results
of the study of Congress not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this paragraph.
‘‘(G) The Administrator may suspend the re-
quired use of oxygenated fuels—
‘‘(i) during the pendency of a petition for
a waiver submitted under paragraph (D); and
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‘‘(ii) until the completion of the health risk
study conducted pursuant to subparagraph
(F).’’.
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