GASOLINE; LEGISLATION;

GASOLINE;

You asked for information about the bill this session that delays the removal of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from Connecticut gasoline.

Senate Bill 840, enacted as Public Act 03-122, delays the removal of MTBE from gasoline from October 1, 2003, to January 1, 2004, provided New York also requires its elimination on that date. If New York does not do so, PA 03-122 requires Connecticut to eliminate MTBE from gasoline by July 1, 2004.

Senate Environment Committee Chair Don Williams told the Senate May 7 that joining with New York, a relatively large gasoline market, would help Connecticut avoid large spikes in state gasoline prices that would be likely to occur if Connecticut, a much smaller gasoline market, acted alone.

The Senate approved the bill May 7 and the House approved it May 21. The governor signed it June 18. We have attached a copy of the Public Act, the bill summary, and the bill history.

PF: ro