Wilson's MTBE veto called a blow to water quality in Tahoe

Wilson vetoed a bill that would have reduced dependence on MTBE - methyl tertiary butyl ether - in California.

The South Tahoe Public Utility District, which has shut down 12 of its 34 wells because of the MTBE threat, disagrees with Wilson's contention the measure wasn't necessary.

"The governor's veto demonstrates that he is, indeed, blind, deaf and dumb on South Tahoe's water contamination crisis," said Bob Baer, STPUD general manager.

"Over a thousand Tahoe residents and visitors have pleaded with him to act to protect our drinking water sources from MTBE contamination, and he doesn't even acknowledge our plight," Baer added.

MTBE, classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a possible cancer-causing agent, has contaminated groundwater at more than 10,000 sites in 24 counties throughout California.

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