What is New York State doing about MTBE?
On May 24, 2000, new legislation (Chapter 35, Laws of 2000) was enacted that prohibits gasoline containing MTBE as an additive from being imported, sold, dispensed or offered for sale in New York State beginning January 1, 2004. The DEC Spill Response Program has procedures in place to quickly respond to, investigate, and clean up sites that involve MTBE impacts to the environment. Where MTBE has been found in a drinking water source, DEC has protected the public by providing alternate sources of safe drinking water, such as bottled water, whole house activated carbon filter systems, replacement wells and hookups to public water supply lines. DEC is currently involved with the implementation of an EPA Grant to address the MTBE contamination problems resulting from Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) sites on Long Island.
