New Hampshire has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for early withdrawal from part of the Federal Clean Air Act agreement and permission to substitute another “green gasoline” blend, according to Reuters. Washington state Gov. Gary Locke has signed legislation that will prohibit the intentional additional of MTBE in the state after Dec. 31, 2003. Studies showing 16 percent of public and 27 percent of private water supplies are tainted with the fuel additive prompted New Hampshire Gov. Jeannes Shaheen to opt out of the agreement. States are forbidden to withdraw before 2004, so legal and funding issues may arise. New Hampshire does not have a proposed replacement for MTBE, which is blended with gasoline to produce cleaner-burning fuel and reduced emissions, but is developing a fuel called “Oxy-Free RFG,” which does not use MTBE. Under the law in Washington, the MTBE ban will take effect in two stages. Beginning July 22, 2001, mixing of MTBE into gasoline above six-tenths of 1 percent will be prohibited. As of Dec. 31, 2003, the use of MTBE in gasoline will be completely prohibited. The Washington Department of Ecology has found evidence of MTBE contamination at sampled oil-spill sites in the state, although the department “has no evidence that MTBE is being added as part of Washington’s oxygenated fuel program.” Spokane is the only area in Washington required to sell oxygenated gasoline, and ethanol is the only additive used in that area. California and Illinois are expected to ban MTBE this year. Other states that have banned MTBE are Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, and South Dakota.