Sec. 22a-450a. Elimination of MTBE as gasoline additive.
Sec. 22a-450a. Elimination of MTBE as gasoline additive. (a) As used in this
section, "MTBE" means the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether.
(b) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall, in conjunction with the
Northeast Regional Fuels Task Force, develop and implement a plan for the phase-out
of the use of MTBE in a manner that will eliminate MTBE as a gasoline additive in
gasoline intended for sale to ultimate consumers in this state on and after January 1,
2004, provided the state of New York also requires the elimination of MTBE as a gasoline additive on said date. In the event that the state of New York does not require the
elimination of MTBE as a gasoline additive in gasoline on and after January 1, 2004,
the commissioner shall develop and implement such phase-out plan that will eliminate
MTBE as a gasoline additive on and after July 1, 2004. Not later than January 1, 2001,
and annually thereafter through January 1, 2004, the commissioner shall report to the
joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating
to the environment on how the elimination of MTBE will be achieved. Each report shall
include a progress update on the status of the regional efforts to reduce MTBE levels
in gasoline. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from selling, offering for sale,
distributing or blending a motor fuel that contains not more than one-half of one per
cent by volume of MTBE.
(c) Beginning July 1, 2000, the Connecticut Petroleum Council, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, the Oxygenated Fuels Association, and the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association, under the direction of the Commissioner of
Environmental Protection, shall undertake an effective education campaign directed
at all users of gasoline, including, but not limited to, homeowners, marine trades and
businesses, about the proper handling of gasoline. Said campaign shall include, but not
be limited to: (1) Warning at the point of sale about the proper handling of gasoline; (2)
instructions on portable gasoline containers sold after July 1, 2000, about the proper
handling of gasoline; and (3) newspaper, radio and television information advertisements.
(d) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall seek a waiver from the
United States Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose of discontinuing the
use of MTBE, as a gasoline additive in this state.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any marina or recreational or
commercial boating facility may sell or provide gasoline that contains MTBE for use
by watercraft, including, but not limited to, a boat, ship, vessel, barge or other floating
craft, provided such gasoline was purchased and stored on site by the subject marina or
boating facility prior to January 1, 2004.
(P.A. 00-175, S. 1, 4; P.A. 03-122, S. 1; P.A. 04-109, S. 10; 04-151, S. 16.)
History: P.A. 00-175 effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 03-122 amended Subsec. (b) to add "in gasoline intended for sale to
ultimate consumers in this state", revise date for elimination of MTBE as a gasoline additive to coincide with a similar
elimination in New York and add provision re a de minimus exemption, effective June 18, 2003; P.A. 04-109 amended
Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 04-151 added Subsec. (e) re sale of gasoline with
MTBE by a marina or recreational or commercial boating facility, effective May 21, 2004.