News Release (C-06-99)

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For Immediate Release (C-06-99) Contact: James Spagnole (916) 324-9670 February 23, 1999

MTBE Public Hearing

SACRAMENTO -- Addressing the statutory scheme of Senate Bill 521 (Mountjoy), Winston H. Hickox, Secretary for Environmental Protection, today opened the second full day of public and industry comment on the findings of a University of California, Davis report. The report assesses the health and environmental impacts of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in California’s gasoline supply. Today’s hearing is taking place at the Sacramento Convention Center, Room #312-313. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue for the entire day, with provisions made for further testimony and public comment, if necessary, on Wednesday, February 24^th.

SB 521(Mountjoy) requires a report prepared by a U.C. Davis study team, independent peer reviews by two separate Federal agencies, and a period of public comment before the matter would be considered by the office of the Governor. Two public hearings are defined in SB 521.

Upon completion of public testimony Governor Davis' office will have approximately ten days to address the findings of the U.C. Davis study group after consideration of the independent peer review and the public testimony.

In opening the hearing Secretary Hickox again stressed the information gathering nature of these proceedings, specifically reserving any comment on deliberations for a later date.

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