Grassley steamed over administration’s MTBE decision

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the Clinton/Gore Administration is trying to duck responsibility and allow more contamination of America’s water supplies by the fuel additive M-T-B-E. Grassley is upset after Monday’s announcement that asks Congress to do away with a mandate for oil companies to use fuel additives instead of requiring alternative additives like ethanol. Grassley says Clinton promised in the 1992 election that he would be “the biggest friend that ethanol ever had.” But the Senator says it isn’t turning out that way.Senator Grassley calls the Clinton/Gore Administration “big oil heroes” for not requiring oil companies to use an alternative to M-T-B-E. Grassley says E-P-A officials, acting on Presidential orders, have “insulted” midwestern governors.Grassley says Clinton should have stood up to the big oil companies instead of caving in with this announcement. He says endorsing corn-based ethanol would have protected the water supply from M-T-B-E and it would help reduce the U-S’ reliance on foreign oil.Grassley says ethanol is made by American farmers, not OPEC, which is driving up gasoline prices. He calls ethanol a clean air, clean water subsitute for M-T-B-E.