Governor Pushes For Gas Additive Waiver

Governor Davis is trying to let California bypass a federal mandate to put the additives M-T-B-E or ethanol in gasoline. Davis is asking California Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein for help in getting a three-year waiver for the state under the Democrats´ energy bill. The comprehensive bill is expected to go before the Senate next week. If the state gets a waiver, Davis could escape a politically sensitive position. He has already ordered a ban on M-T-B-E by January 1st. This is because the additive threatens thousands of drinking wells in California. But without a federal waiver, the state would have to use ethanol, which would drive up prices as refiners attempt to provide a big enough supply.