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Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: emaildelivery@businesswire.com X-To: TX-INDUSTRIAL-INFO-RES@businesswire.com X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \ExMerge - Thomas, Paul D.\Deleted Items X-Origin: THOMAS-P X-FileName: paul d thomas 6-26-02.PST Welcome to eMail News Delivery, a service from Business Wire. Here is your Industrial Information Resources Inc. news release. If you have received this in error please send a message to: eMailDelivery@businesswire.com with the following command in the body of the message: unsubscribe TX-INDUSTRIAL-INFO-RES If you have questions about this service, please contact your Business Wire Account Executive or service@businesswire.com BW2011 JAN 29,2002 2:05 PACIFIC 05:05 EASTERN ( BW)(TX-INDUSTRIAL-INFO-RES) Uncertainty Around the Phase-Out of MTBE Gives Producers Time to Evaluate Options, in an Advisory by Industrialinfo.com Business/Energy Editors HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2002--The following in an advisory by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources Incorporated; Houston). MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether) producers across the U.S. and Canada have been preparing for the elimination or reduction of MTBE as a fuel oxygenate for several years. The potential extension of California's year-end deadline could buy some additional time for gasoline producers to evaluate technologies capable of producing suitable substitutes or securing agreements for Ethanol feedstocks. MTBE production increased tremendously in the late 80's and early 90's as legislation prompted its use in RFG (Re-Formulated Gasoline) programs and by the mid 90's MTBE approached oversupply. Under growing pressure from environmentalists with concerns of MTBE contaminating water supplies in several western states, demand somewhat leveled off in the late 90's and new capacity has rarely been seen since. In March of 1999, Governor Gray Davis issued an executive order establishing a self-imposed deadline of Dec. 31, 2002 to eliminate MTBE's use in all gasoline produced in the State of California. Failed attempts to convince the EPA to waive the oxygenate requirements for RFG fuels combined with limited suitable substitutes might create the need to delay the current deadline and open the door for producers to continue production in the near future. Producers as far away as Canada and the Rocky Mountains stand to gain greatly should the deadline be delayed. Although a phase-out of MTBE across the country any time soon is very unlikely, several U.S. and Canadian MTBE producers are investing in studies to identify potential replacements that could be produced with retrofits of the existing units currently in operation. Overseas markets could hold some potential for domestic producers as there is no indicator to suggest that overseas markets will not continue to grow. In fact, the European Union has determined that there needs to be tighter control over the handling and storage of MTBE and that it does not present a health danger. Europe is expected to include MTBE as a key player in its future development plans for cleaner burning fuels. Industrialinfo.com provides daily news related to the industrial market place including industry alerts and databases for the energy and industrial markets. For more information on trends and upcoming construction activities in the chemical markets as well as other industrial sectors send inquiries to chemicalgroup@industrialinfo.com or visit us at www.industrialinfo.com or www.iirenergy.com. --30--AA/ho* CONTACT: Industrialinfo.com, Houston Trey Hamblet, 713/783-5147 KEYWORD: TEXAS CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL CANADA EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CHEMICALS/PLASTICS ENERGY ENVIRONMENT MANUFACTURING OIL/GAS SOURCE: Industrialinfo.com For the best viewing of the news releases please use the following email settings: Courier 10 point. -Notice of Copyright and General Disclaimer- © 2000 Business Wire. All of the releases provided by Business Wire are protected by copyright and other applicable laws, treaties and conventions. Information contained in the releases is furnished by Business Wire`s members who are solely responsible for their content, accuracy and originality. All reproduction, other than for an individual user`s reference, is prohibited without prior written permission. - Notice of Copyright and General Disclaimer -- © 1999 Business Wire. All of the releases provided by Business Wire are protected by copyright and other applicable laws, treaties and conventions. Information contained in the releases is furnished by Business Wire`s members who are solely responsible for their content, accuracy and originality. All reproduction, other than for an individual user`s reference, is prohibited without prior written permission.
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