National RFG Debate Spurs Launch of Gas Care 2000 Program

Program Launches Internet Resource for National Disposal Options

Washington, D.C. (June 13, 2000) - The Alliance for Proper Gasoline Handling, a unique public-private partnership including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (U.S. EPA), NESCAUM, Sunoco, BP Amoco, American Petroleum Institute, Tosco and California Air Resources Board, today announced the components of the Gas Care 2000 program, the second phase of a consumer campaign designed to reduce small accidental gasoline spills and provide proper gasoline handling and disposal options. The Gas Care 2000 program includes an innovative collaboration with Earth's 911, the nation's largest Internet-based environmental information resource, to provide on-line gasoline handling and disposal information to consumers.

The majority of refiners have chosen to use MTBE to satisfy the reformulated gasoline oxygen requirement in the Clean Air Act. As recommended by the EPA Blue Ribbon Panel, Congressional action to lift the oxygen mandate is necessary to address the use of MTBE while maintaining air quality benefits in a cost- effective manner. The Gas Care 2000 program provides consumers with immediate disposal and handling information to take action while Congress continues to consider appropriate legislative measures.

Robert Perciasepe, Assistant Administrator, U.S. EPA Office of Air and Radiation stated, "We are pleased to join with the Northeast states, refiners, environmental organizations and Earth's 911 to promote public awareness about this important issue. Each year, Americans use over 200 billion gallons of gasoline in this country and just a few small spills every day can add up. This campaign provides consumers with the information they need to handle and dispose of gasoline in a manner that limits potential environmental and health impacts."

Mr. Perciasepe added, "EPA will continue to work with the states to improve upon underground storage tank programs and to encourage proper gasoline handling and disposal. We encourage the public to use the hotline and web site for proper handling and disposal information in their communities."

Jason Grumet, Executive Director of NESCAUM stated, "The harm caused by MTBE inspires a call-to-action at the national, state and individual level to address the consequences of gasoline contamination in groundwater. Congress must act quickly to regulate MTBE while maintaining the full air quality benefits of the reformulated gasoline program. States must continue to implement efforts to improve the integrity of underground tank programs. And as individuals, we must all act responsibly when storing and handling gasoline for residential and recreational use. While tremendous attention has been devoted to the obligations of government, the Alliance seeks to enlist all citizens in the pursuit of clean air and clean water." 

The partnership between the Alliance and Earth's 911 will create new mechanisms and exchanges of information that will expand upon Earth's 911's existing recycling and disposal information infrastructure. Beginning this summer, the program will offer nationwide access to information regarding proper gasoline handling. In addition, residents of New England, New York, New Jersey and California will have localized gasoline disposal information, including household hazardous waste collection dates by town, from both the telephone at 1-800-CLEANUP and World Wide Web at www.1800cleanup.org for the first time ever. The partnership will also allow for improved customer response capabilities at the Alliance's existing resources for gasoline handling information (1-800-USA-Fuels & www.gas-care.org)

David Holt, Director, Governmental Affairs for Hart/IRI Fuels Information Services remarked, "We are pleased to continue our history of providing quality information and services to the refining and automotive industries and state regulatory officials. We hope our participation in the Alliance and our assistance with the Gas Care hotline will help to strengthen communications between consumers, government and industry on the importance of proper gasoline handling."

"By partnering with Earth's 911, the Alliance will provide community specific environmental information for the first time," added Ken Colburn, New Hampshire Air Director. "As a result, our citizens will finally have the tools and information they need to make wise environmental and health choices regarding gasoline handling and disposal."

"Empowering the public with community specific information that empowers them to be part of the solution is the most important thing we can all do," said Chris Warner of Earth's 911. "In expanding our longstanding relationship with U.S. EPA and by forming this partnership with NESCAUM and other members of the Alliance, consumers will now have the opportunity to properly handle and dispose of gasoline in the most convenient way possible."

In addition to the partnership with Earth's 911, Gas Care 2000 will also include a number of consumer-oriented measures and outreach efforts designed to increase proper handling and disposal of gasoline. The Alliance announced today that it will be implementing a major publicity effort on proper gasoline handling that will include promotions at thousands of gasoline retail outlets throughout the East coast, public service announcements that will reach millions of gasoline users in the Northeast and California and additional educational initiatives. In addition, the Alliance announced that the last week of September will be designated as Gas Care Week and will be marked by a series of events at state recycling and disposal centers in the Northeast.

Tony Ippolito, Director of Public Policy, Sunoco, Inc. said, "Gasoline is the lifeblood of our nation's economy, but it must be used with care. By combining our resources and retail presence with those of our partners, the 'use good sense with gasoline' message will reach thousands of consumers."

Formed in 1999, following the results of a Blue Ribbon Panel study on the effects of MTBE on groundwater, the Alliance for Proper Gasoline Handling includes NESCAUM, U.S. EPA, California Air Resources Board (CARB) Sunoco, BP Amoco, Tosco, American Petroleum Institute, and Hart/IRI Fuels Information Services. -more-

Each year, Americans spill more than 9 million gallons of gasoline - the equivalent of an oil supertanker. With each case of mishandling and improper disposal comes the risk of harmful environmental impacts, as even a small gasoline spill can contaminate soils and wells over a quarter mile away. Paul Oves, Vice President Public Affairs for Tosco Marketing Company said, "We are excited to be part of a program that will help to empower citizens to act responsibly when handling and disposing of gasoline. We believe that the Gas Care program's innovative measures will have a real impact on consumers' attitudes and actions towards gasoline."

Raymond Brasser, Senior Vice President of BP Amoco stated, "The petroleum industry has done much to improve the manufacturing, transporting and dispensing of gasoline. Educating our consumers about safe handling practices is one more way to help protect our air, soil and water resources. As we at BP Amoco do everything we can to minimize our impact on the environment, we actively encourage the public to do the same."

 

Contact: Cindy Drucker, (617) 443-1321 Greg Kelley, (617) 443-1341 Main Number (617) 443-1300

The Alliance for Proper Gasoline Handling 129 Portland St., 5th Floor Boston, MA 02114

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