Shell stations have MTBE-free gas

Tuesday, June 8, 1999 | 6:52 a.m.

The basin's Shell stations have been receiving MTBE-free gas for weeks now, and officials are now sure all of the MTBE-laden fuel is out of the tanks, according to Donna Barker, co-owner of the South "Y" station.

For years, California's gasoline has contained MTBE. However, in March Gov. Gray Davis ordered that oil companies stop using it by the end of 2002. He also ordered that it be taken out of Lake Tahoe's gas on a quicker pace. Three-fourths of south shore's stations have committed to get rid of it by July 1.

Because of groundwater contamination, the South Tahoe Public Utility District has closed more than one-third of its wells since September 1997.

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