1998-139-Requesting The Governor And The Legislature To Prohibit The Use Of Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether Or Other Ether Oxygenates In Motor FuelRESOLUTION 1998 -139
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE
TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF METHYL TERTIARY -BUTYL ETHER (MTBE)
OR OTHER ETHER OXYGENATES IN MOTOR FUEL
WHEREAS, Methyl tertiary-butyl either (MTBE) represents a threat to ground water and
surface water supplies in California; and,
WHEREAS, MTBE has been detected in local reservoirs, imported water, drinking water
treatment plant influent and effluent, and groundwater; and
WHEREAS, MTBE is difficult and expensive to remove once it is in the water supply;
and,
WHEREAS, MTBE is highly soluble in water, shows a high degree of mobility in soils
and persistence in the water and has a very low taste and odor threshold; and,
WHEREAS, although the health effects of MTBE are not well known, it is a possible
human carcinogen; and,
WHEREAS, MTBE has been detected at nearly 300 leaking underground storage tank
sites in Santa Clara County; and,
WHEREAS, the mechanisms of MTBE contamination include leaking underground
storage tank systems, other gasoline storage and distribution systems, gasoline- powered
watercraft, storm water runoff, and rainfall washout; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council o the Town of Los
Gatos hereby urges a prohibition on the use of MTBE or any other ether oxygenate as an additive
to motor fuels within the State of California.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos urges
the Governor to employ his executive powers, and the Legislature to adopt laws, to achieve
removal of MTBE and other ether oxygenates as additives to motor fuels in the State of
California in order to protect the State's valuable water resources, and urges the Governor and the
Legislature to work with the appropriate authorities at the federal level to achieve this prohibition
and to identify alternative methods to achieve acceptable air quality objectives.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos, California, held on the 8th day of September, 1998 by the following vote.
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton, Jan Hutchins,
Mayor Linda Lubeck.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Randy Attaway
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED: -
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LO ATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA