A coalition letter delivered to all members of Congress says “the liability waiver amounts to a massive unfunded mandate on local governments and ratepayers.” The coalition asked legislators to oppose any legislation that includes the measure.
The MTBE safe harbor provision would provide product liability immunity to gasoline manufacturers whose product contained MTBE, an additive that migrates through the ground and makes water undrinkable even in minute amounts. Treatment is expensive and complex, as is finding alternative sources of water for most communities. The estimated contamination cleanup cost is $29 billion.