Lake Tahoe Area Officials Fault Davis’ Plan for MTBE Phaseout

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe area officials criticized Gov. Gray Davis’ decision to phase out the fuel additive MTBE in the state, saying they will move ahead with their own immediate ban.

Chris Strohm, vice president of the South Tahoe Public Utility District, said immediate action is needed because MTBE contamination is a public health hazard that has forced the closure of a third of the district’s water wells.

“The governor didn’t go far enough,” Strohm said.

Calling it a “significant risk to California’s environment” that must be eliminated, Davis on Thursday announced a phaseout of MTBE by the end of 2002.

But Lake Tahoe officials said Davis at least should have banned MTBE immediately in the most highly affected areas, such as Lake Tahoe. The region’s wells are among more than 10,000 ground water sites in the state contaminated by MTBE.

Davis merely ordered the state Air Resources Board to work with the oil industry to supply MTBE-free gasoline to Lake Tahoe at the earliest possible date--a requirement Strohm branded as “wishy-washy,” with no guarantees.

“I just think it’s frustrating the governor has batted the ball back to the oil industry and state agencies that got us into this mess in the first place,” Strohm said.

Davis Press Secretary Michael Bustamante said an immediate ban wasn’t possible, as it would have caused a statewide fuel shortage.