ERMUSR MISC. ITEMS 02-10-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To. Mr.Bryan C. Adams Elk River Municipal Utility (763)441-8099 From. AWWA (303)347.0804 01/15/04 03.49PM %o/,.� �G /7710c SAMPLE LETTER TO SENATORS WHO OPPOSE ENERGY BILL/SUPPORT AWWA POSITION January xx, 2004 Dear Senator: As you return to Washington, I want to thank you for putting the concerns of the American people ahead of the influences of the special interests with your opposition to the current form of the Energy Bill. While the country certainly needs an effective, reasonable energy policy, it is astonishing that backers of the bill still insist on including an egregious provision that protects gasoline manufacturers at the expense of the general public. MTBE defective product liability immunity—so called "safe harbor" - prevents communities from holding gasoline makers accountable for a product that has contaminated hundreds of water supplies in 36 states across the country so far. This provision became the point of contention in the passage of the Energy Bill last year and for good reason. The MTBE problem is both widespread and growing. Today, MTBE contamination clean-up costs have an estimated price tag of more than $29 billion. If the gasoline makers are not held responsible for the problem they created, the cost will be passed on to local water utilities and, consequently, local citizens. Most alarmingly, in addition to the financial costs related to MTBE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a possible human carcinogen. Gasoline makers are working overtime to confuse the issue by advancing a number of empty arguments that MTBE contamination is not their responsibility. They have not, however, fooled the American public. Court documents demonstrate that the oil companies chose MTBE, in part, because it was more profitable for them. As long as the Energy Bill contains the MTBE"safe harbor" provision, it should be defeated. We are very encouraged by the bipartisan coalition of senators like you who recognize the gravity of this issue and have come together across party lines to defend the American public. We applaud your efforts and strongly encourage you to maintain your steadfast opposition to this provision. Sincerely,