THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

      STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT ON ADMINISTRATION ACTIONS ON
                              MTBE/ETHANOL

The Administration today is moving on two fronts to protect our nation's air and water and to assure the continued use of safe renewable fuels like ethanol -- a critical step in strengthening America's energy security.

First, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to use existing authority to phase down the use of MTBE in gasoline in order to eliminate the risks it poses to our nation's water supply. Second, the Administration is sending detailed legislative principles to Congress so that we can move forward with the legislative solution that ultimately will be needed. These principles will ensure protection of our air and water, and will encourage use of renewable fuels like ethanol -- reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating new economic opportunity for America's farmers.

I look forward to working with Congress to arrive quickly at a common-sense legislative solution that protects our environment, strengthens our economy, and enhances America's energy security.

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