MTBE Cleanup Estimated to Cost $1 to 3 Billion
New study better quantifies anticipated cleanup costs
Amherst, MA (PRWEB) May 20, 2005 -- In an announcement today, the Association
for Environmental Health and Sciences (AEHS), Amherst, Mass., discusses the
recent efforts to quantify the costs associated with remediation of leaking
underground storage tank (LUST) sites where the fuel oxygenate MTBE (methyl
tertiary butyl ether) is present.
AEHS is an organization of
multidisciplinary, environmental professionals and was created to facilitate
communication and foster cooperation among those concerned with soil protection
and cleanup. AEHS is devoted to enhancing the flow of information between the
regulatory and regulated communities; scientists and non-scientists,
theoreticians and practitioners; and the public and private sectors.
Many
studies have been done over the past decade to estimate MTBE cleanup costs, but
few have been comprehensive in scope or transparent in methodology. The interest
in quantifying potential costs has been driven by the draft Energy Policy Act
legislation (Energy Bill), which includes a provision for public funding of
cleanup at sites impacted by MTBE.
ENSR International, Westford, Mass.,
is researching and preparing a study, soon to be released, which will fully
outline the national remediation costs associated with MTBE.
By trending
the EPA confirmed release data for the past 20 years, evaluating the history of
nationwide cleanup costs, and then incorporating forecasts for streamlined
technologies and cleanup methods, a national total cost of MTBE remediation over
the coming 30 years is predicted to be in the range of $1 to $3 billion.
According to the EPA LUST Trust Fund, an estimated 4% of LUST cases have
no identifiable responsible party, which will require public funding for
cleanup. From this information, one can project that public liability for the
future expense of MTBE cleanup could be approximately 4% of this projected total
$1 to $3 billion, or $40 to $150 million.
MTBE has been present in
gasoline as an octane booster since 1979. With the passage of the Clean Air Act
of 1990, use and concentration of MTBE in gasoline increased during the 1990s to
meet the requirements for refiners to produce oxygenated fuel, which burns
cleaner and reduces tailpipe emissions of ozone precursors. Since the 1990s,
other oxygenates have been introduced, which has reduced the percentage of
gasoline that contains MTBE.
The new study by ENSR International is due
to be published in part through RemediationWeekly.com, and in the AEHS
newsletter, The Matrix. Publication is expected in early summer.
ENSR
International is a full-service global provider of environmental and energy
services to industry and government. ENSR's 1,600 professionals provide
consulting, engineering and remediation from 70 worldwide locations, including
45 in the U.S. Over its 35-year history, ENSR has successfully executed 75,000
environmental projects. Clients include some of the world’s largest water supply
companies, as well as dozens of major petroleum companies, whom the company has
assisted with investigation, design and remediation at thousands of sites across
the U.S. and around the world.
For further information,
contact:
ENSR International
2 Technology Park Drive
Westford, MA
01886-3140
John Petraglia
978-589-3000
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www.ensr.com
The Association for Environmental Health
and Sciences
150 Fearing Street
Amherst, MA
01002
413-549-5561
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www.aehs.com
Contact: Dr.
Paul Kostecki
May 18, 2005 413-549-5561
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb242038.htm