AJR120: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4742/2

RCT:kmg:km

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 120

March 22, 2000 - Introduced by Representatives Kedzie, Nass, Johnsrud, Walker, Huebsch, Ott, Ladwig, Kestell, Duff, Hahn, Stone, Musser, Grothman, Gunderson, Porter and Brandemuehl, cosponsored by Senators Darling, Schultz, Huelsman, Roessler and Grobschmidt. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR120,1,4 Relating to: requesting Congress and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to act to bring about the elimination of the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether in gasoline and to act to ensure that methyl tertiary butyl ether is not used in reformulated gasoline in the Milwaukee nonattainment area this summer.

AJR120,1,9 Whereas, the federal Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 require the use of reformulated gasoline containing a minimum of 2% oxygenate content by weight to reduce the concentration of various types of air contaminants, including ground level ozone and carbon monoxide in regions in the United States where the national ambient air quality standards are exceeded; and

AJR120,1,14 Whereas, under the federal Clean Air Act, 9 metropolitan areas in the country were designated as nonattainment areas for ozone, including 6 counties in the greater Milwaukee area (Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties), and were required to implement the use of reformulated gasoline as of January 1, 1995; and

AJR120,2,3 Whereas, industry studies initially indicated that reformulated gasoline, due to its oxygen additives, reduces the rate at which pollutants evaporate into the air, producing 15% to 17% less pollution than conventional gasoline; and

AJR120,2,8 Whereas, in January 1995, media attention and public complaints, including health concerns, higher costs of fuel and decreased engine performance, prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold public hearings in Milwaukee and assist Wisconsin with health studies related to the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in reformulated gasoline; and

AJR120,2,11 Whereas, it has been found that in Wisconsin there are leaking underground storage tanks with groundwater contamination caused by MTBE raising additional health concerns; and

AJR120,2,15 Whereas, the EPA's "blue ribbon panel" of leading experts has recommended an immediate and significant reduction in the use of MTBE in gasoline, leading to the discontinuation of its use because of public health concerns associated with contaminated water supplies; and

AJR120,2,17 Whereas, Wisconsin has a proud tradition of sound environmental policies and is committed to clean air; now, therefore, be it

AJR120,2,21 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature request that the Congress of the United States and the EPA expedite action to implement the blue ribbon panel recommendation pertaining to the elimination of the use of MTBE in gasoline; and, be it further

AJR120,2,24 Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature request the Congress of the United States to phase out the use of MTBE by 2003; and, be it further

AJR120,3,4 Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature strongly urge the Congress of the United States and the EPA to take any action necessary to ensure that MTBE is not used in reformulated gasoline in the Milwaukee nonattainment area beginning on May 1, 2000; and, be it further

AJR120,3,8 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to the president of the U.S. senate, the speaker of the U.S. house of representatives and the administrator of the EPA and to each of the members of the congressional delegation from Wisconsin.

AJR120,3,9 (End)