Blue Ribbon Panel for Reviewing Use of MTBE
The MTBE Blue Ribbon Panel was created by a Charter from the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC) to provide independent advice and counsel to EPA on policy issues associated with the use of MTBE and other oxygenates in gasoline.
The panel held meetings, analyzed issues, conducted reviews, made recommendations, and performed other activities necessary to meet its responsibilities. This Web site contains documents produced by or for the panel, including its Final Report.
Contact: Joseph Bachman, phone: (202) 343-9373, email: Joseph Bachman (bachman.joseph@epa.gov)
- CAAAC Blue Ribbon Panel Web site
- Panel Recommendations
- Meeting Presentations
- Related EPA Links on Oxygenates
- External Links on Oxygenates
NOTE: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.
Panel Recommendations
- September 15, 1999 - Achieving Clean Air and Clean Water: The Report of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Oxygenates in Gasoline (PDF) (490K, EPA420-R-99-021)
- Blue Ribbon Panel Findings and Recommendations on the Use of Oygenates in Gasoline (PDF) (48K)
- Blue Ribbon Panel Press Release (PDF) (20K)
- Statement by Carol M. Browner (PDF) (5K)
- Summary of Dissenting Opinion By Todd C. Sneller, Member EPA Blue Ribbon Panel (PDF) (6K)
- Lyondell Chemical Company Summary of Dissenting Report (PDF) (6K)
- Table of Chemical Properties found in Chapter 2E of September 15, 1999 - Achieving Clean Air and Clean Water: The Report of Blue Ribbon Panel on Oxygenates in Gasoline (PDF) (19K)
Meeting Presentations
- Docket Index (PDF) (39K)
- List of Panel Members (PDF) (8K)
- Press Announcement (PDF) (7K)
- June 24-25 Washington, DC
- Draft Agenda (PDF) (5K)
- Draft Minutes (PDF) (68K)
- May 24-25, Washington, DC
- Agenda (PDF) (5K)
- Draft Minutes (PDF) (115K)
- April 29-30, Arlington, VA
- Agenda (PDF) (6K)
- Draft Minutes (PDF) (70K)
- March 25-26, Sacramento, CA
- Agenda (PDF) (7K)
- Minutes (PDF) (82K)
- March 1-2, Boston, MA
- Agenda (PDF) (11K)
- Minutes (PDF) (95K)
- January 22, Washington, DC
Materials presented and distributed at the meetings can be found in the Air Docket, Docket No. A-99-01. Contact the Air Docket at (202) 566-1742, or by fax at (202) 566-1741.
Related EPA Links on Oxygenates
- February 17, 1999 Letter from Robert Perciasepe, EPA Assistant Administrator, to Winston Hickox, California EPA, regarding comments on the UC report on MTBE (PDF) (8K)
- February 5, 1999 Health and Environmental Assessment of MTBE -
Research Project Review (PDF) (73K)
EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality - April 22, 1998 U.S. EPA Testimony Before the U.S. House of Representatives Regarding the Benefits of RFG and Issues raised by H.R. 630 (PDF) (14K)
U.S. EPA Office of Air and Radiation - January 1999 Oxygenates in Water: Critical Information and Research Needs (PDF) (77 pp, 220K)
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development - U.S. EPA Web site on MTBE
External Links on Oxygenates
- Energy Commission MTBE Study
California Energy CommissionThis site provides several reports that the California Energy Commission has written regarding MTBE and alternatives to MTBE. It also provides: California Governor Davis' executive order and news releases; Energy Commission hearings and notices; documents related to the phase out of MTBE in California; and presentations before the Energy Commission.
- Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration's Monthly Oxygenate Telephone Report, 1999 -- Production Data
This site provides production data for fuel ethanol and MTBE in the United States and major U.S. geographic regions. Data are collected from a sample of respondents reporting on EIA's Monthly Petroleum Supply Reporting System surveys and from the universe of oxygenate producers.
- MTBE in Maine: Summary of Five Point Plan (October 13, 1998)
Maine Department of Environmental ProtectionThe Maine Departments of Environmental Protection and Human Services announced a five-point plan to respond to incidents of MTBE contamination of public and private wells. This report is an overview of the background and results of that initiative.
- Report to Congress: MTBE in Gasoline: Clean Air and Drinking Water Issues (PDF, 23 pages, 1.7M) (February 2000)
Congressional Research ServiceThis Report to Congress, which was compiled by the Congressional Research Service, provides background information concerning MTBE and briefly summarizes information concerning the environmental impacts of the additive's use and potential regulatory and legislative options.
- Cleaner-Burning Gasoline Program Publications
Air Resources Board, California Environmental Protection AgencyThis Web site includes background papers, fact sheets, newsletters, brochures, etc., on California's Cleaner-Burning Gasoline (CBG) program. It includes information on MTBE as well, particularly a 34-page report entitled "An Overview of the Use of Oxygenates in Gasoline."
- MTBE Research Supported by the TSR&TP
University of California at DavisThe University of California at Davis' Toxic Substance Research and Teaching program has been studying and assessing the human health and environmental risks and benefits of MTBE. This site provides a look into that program along with information regarding MTBE research, symposiums, newsletters, awards and reports. It also includes the 1998 report to the Governor and Legislature of California, "Health and Environmental Assessment of MTBE."
- GeoTracker
Lawrence Livermore LaboratoryGeoTracker is a project of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The project's objective is to provide the Governor's Office, legislature, and public entities with information concerning the vulnerability of California's groundwater to MTBE. This site provides information about the project.