Quote:
Originally posted by legion
When are we going to put MTBE back in gasoline?
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East coast drivers could face gas shortages.
Scattered gasoline shortages and higher pump prices could make it a difficult week for East Coast drivers. Refineries and service stations are scrambling to change to ethanol-based fuel before the federal deadline on May 5 and the start of the summer driving season. AAA said a few dozen gas stations between Virginia and New Jersey had closed in recent days as they converted from fuels mixed with MBTE to gasoline mixed with ethanol, which burns cleaner. Experts expect sporadic supply disruptions to continue in coming days, likely to be accompanied by a widespread surge in prices. Many regions, including New York and Connecticut, stopped using MBTE years ago and have not been affected by the disruptions. The rest of the Mid-Atlantic region and Texas, primarily Dallas and Houston, face the brunt of the problems because they are the last remaining users of MTBE gasoline. (Page A8, New York Times, 4/22)
*The nationwide average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.90 Sunday, up 1.6 cents from Saturday and 39.1 cents higher than a month ago, according to AAA. Statewide averages were $3 or higher in Hawaii, California, Washington, D.C. and New York. (Page 1A, USA Today)