ENVIRONMENT/ MTBE

The gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) has been polluting water wells across the United States, including a number of Cape Cod water wells. MTBE sticks tightly to water molecules and is extremely expensive to clean up.

MTBE, a potential carcinogen, fouls drinking water by giving off a taste and odor like turpentine. Several years ago, a Cotuit well had to be closed because of MTBE contamination. Lower Cape towns have also been hit with MTBE contamination. This issue is of particular importance to the Cape because of the sole source aquifer citizens rely on for drinking water.

Rep. Atsalis has been working on banning MTBE for four years. The issue is gaining national attention and approaching critical mass. One of the reasons Rep. Atsalis’s bill is time sensitive is that Congress – in its omnibus energy bill - has proposed absolving gasoline companies from any liability from MTBE contamination. This would leave homeowners and municipalities holding the bag on expensive cleanups. The sooner a ban is in place, the fewer gallons of drinking water will be polluted and have to be cleaned at citizen or town expense.

"We have been working in tandem with New York and all the New England states to institute a region-wide ban," Rep. Atsalis said. "The gasoline companies know MTBE is harmful and know the end is near. We just have to keep the pressure on."

Another advance in protecting the Cape’s environment came when Rep. Atsalis was successful in restoring $99,344 for Cape Cod Community College’s environmental technology, education and job training partnership program after the funding had been vetoed by Governor Romney.

The environmental tech program places students as interns in environmental organizations, companies, and agencies on the Cape. The students get hands-on experience in aquaculture, water quality issues, cleaning up the Massachusetts Military Reservation and coastal management.

"This program not only bridges the gap for our young people to work with professionals in the nonprofit and private sector, but it provides them with an appreciation of Cape Cod’s natural beauty and sensitive ecosystem," Rep. Atsalis said.