Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 498

Bill Title: Groundwater Contamination - Level of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether - Notice and Cleanup

Bill Sponsor(s): Delegate Kach, et al.

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: ENV

Bill Summary: The bill alters the level of methyl tertiary butyl ether groundwater contamination requiring notification of a local health department and specified property owners by the Department of the Environment from 20 to 5 parts per billion; requires the Department to adopt regulations to ensure the cleanup of methyl tertiary butyl ether in a specified area; requires a person responsible for a specified release to reimburse the Department for specified costs; etc.

History: None

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: This bill lowers the MTBE threshold to an incredibly low rate that is unrealistic and unachievable. This point is confirmed by MDE, which advised that achieving cleanup to a level of 5 ppb is not achievable with current technologies.

This legislation would negatively impact businesses, while still failing to benefit the State or achieve its intended goal. If implemented, this legislation could increase general and special fund expenditures by an estimated $3.9 million.

For these reasons, the Maryland Chambers opposes this bill.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.