Baldacci weighs bill to outlaw gas additive

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci said Tuesday he supports the idea of banning the gasoline additive MTBE in Maine, but will review the language of a bill to do that before signing it.

A bill that received final Senate approval Monday, LD 1870, outlaws the sale of gasoline containing the octane-enhancing additive, which was supposed to help reduce air pollution but is blamed for contaminating groundwater.

The ban, similar to one in effect in several other states, has been proposed three times in Maine. The latest proposal gained momentum after efforts to promote a national ban stalled.