California MTBE ban hits chemical makers.

Reports on California Governor Gray Davis's March 25, 1999 decision to phase out the use of fuel additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline sold in the state. Implications for chemical producers; Impetus for the ban on MTBE; Waiver sought by the state from the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments; Reaction of the three largest producers of MTBE in the United States, to the directive.