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91_HJ0052
LRB9113621EGfg
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a
3 gasoline additive that increases the oxygen content of
4 gasoline, making the fuel burn more cleanly and reducing
5 smog; and
6 WHEREAS, Leaking gasoline storage tanks and pipelines
7 have caused MTBE to seep into drinking water supplies in
8 dozens of states where the chemical is used, giving the water
9 a turpentine-like taste and smell; and
10 WHEREAS, MTBE is currently under scrutiny as a potential
11 health hazard, and it has been listed as a possible
12 carcinogen; therefore, be it
13 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14 NINETY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
15 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we respectfully request that
16 the State Water Survey Division of the Department of Natural
17 Resources conduct a comprehensive survey of the presence of
18 methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in the groundwater of this
19 State, to include at a minimum (i) sampling and testing of
20 groundwater from a scientifically valid subset of drinking
21 water wells in Illinois for the presence of MTBE in the water
22 produced by those wells, (ii) development of an estimate of
23 the impact of MTBE on the quality of Illinois groundwater,
24 and (iii) recommendations to the State on how to reduce the
25 impact of MTBE pollution and how to protect and remediate
26 Illinois groundwater from MTBE contamination; and be it
27 further
28 RESOLVED, That the Water Survey Division is requested to
29 submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and
30 the General Assembly by January 1, 2002; and be it further
31 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
-2- LRB9113621EGfg
1 delivered to the Director of Natural Resources.