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Posted on  

December 28, 2000

Tosco Corporation will Start Blending Ethanol

According to news reports by Copley News Service and the Oil Price Information Service, Tosco Corporation, the nation's largest independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products, has begun to convert its California gasoline terminals to use ethanol instead of MTBE. This conversion is expected to allow Tosco to completely remove MTBE from its gasoline by the end of 2001. Therefore, Tosco will beat the California mandated MTBE-ban deadline by roughly one year and establish Tosco as the industry leader in moving away from MTBE.

"Tosco's use of ethanol in California is great news for consumers, the environment, and the economy," said Eric Vaughn, president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). "I commend Tosco for making this groundbreaking decision. Their leadership will clear the way for clean burning, MTBE-free gasoline in California."

Much of California's gasoline is required to include a clean burning oxygenate in order to reduce harmful emissions. Both MTBE and ethanol provide the clean air benefits of oxygen, but MTBE is highly water-soluble and degrades drinking water at extremely low concentrations.

"The ethanol industry is excited about the opportunity to help California end its MTBE pollution," said Vaughn. "We are committed to ensuring ample ethanol is available to meet California's demand. The ethanol industry will work with all California refiners to ensure a smooth, cost-effective switch from MTBE to ethanol, but we can't do it without the refiners' commitment. We are ready to work with other California refiners who follow Tosco's lead and switch to 'clean air, clean water' ethanol."

 

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