Battle over gasoline additive sparks debate

CARSON CITY – MMT is hardly a familiar household term, but it’s sparking a lively fight among fuel and car officials.

The state Board of Agriculture voted to approve a regulation in March to lift the ban on MMT, an additive that boosts the octane in gasoline. It is used in 48 other states and has passed the scrutiny of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Romaine Morrison, vice chairman of the agriculture board, said it held workshops and environmental agencies in Clark and Washoe counties didn't object to the regulation.

Supporters told the Legislative Subcommittee on Regulations last week it improves overall gasoline and diesel performance and enhances engine combustion. Opponents claim it leads to increased air pollution and damages engines.

John Cabaniss, director environment and energy at the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, testified that allowing the use of MMT would lower air quality in Nevada.

He said all major manufacturers selling vehicles recommend in the owner’s manual “that any fuel containing MMT or manganese-based additives should not be used in today’s vehicles.”

MMT, produced by Afton Chemical Corp., is Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbony and when burned in an auto engine, maganese is emitted from the tailpipe.

The Legislative Subcommittee on Regulations had some questions and put off a decision.

The issue is locked up in a district court battle in Carson City, where the Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association and the Western States Petroleum Association have filed suit to overturn the approval by the state agriculture board.

The suit, drafted by Reno lawyer John P. Sande III, says the agriculture board did not have any scientific evidence to support the approval of the regulation.

Some legislators expressed concern. Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, said she worried about the environment. Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, said he wasn't persuaded to approve the regulation just because it had been passed in other states.

He said auto manufacturers recommend against the use and the addictive is not widely used in other states.

Marlene Lockard, who spoke in favor of the regulation lifting the ban on MMT, told the subcommittee there have been health studies by the EPA. Asked the benefits, she said it would save motorists 2 cents per gallon.

And Patrick Cason, vice president of Rebel Oil Co., backs the decision of the agriculture board saying, “We need the flexibility to offer our customers a complete range of fuel additives in order to bring the most competitive fuels to our customers throughout Nevada.”

Townsend said while it is legal in 48 other states, it is not widely used. Nevada followed the lead of California, which banned it because of environmental concerns.

“Changing the regulation flies in the face of all the environmental things we have done,” he said.

The subcommittee put the proposed regulation over to a later meeting.