I am here today to bring more awareness to an issue that affects all of us, my neighbors, and many citizens in NH.
As a legislator and a businessman, I am growing increasingly concerned with the reports of MtBE manifesting itself in the ground water in New Hampshire and particularly this district.
The Commissioner will go into more of the technical details but my understanding is that there are reports of MtBE causing asthma, shortness of breath, headaches, and an inability to concentrate. MtBE has been proven to cause cancer in animals. It is considered a carcinogen.
Water used for drinking and bathing, should have not more than 13 parts per billion. Yet in some communities, such as Salem, levels have been detected as high as 150 parts per billion. And the Town reports that over 25 private properties have had positive test results for MtBE. Southern NH has a high population and a lot of private wells.
The NH House was unable to pass legislation this past year to ban this substance. Now, alongside key Legislators in the House and Senate, we are prepared to make a difference.
This year, I am working with a bi-partisan group of lawmakers to promote legislation to clean up our water supplies and eliminate future contamination.
There are three pieces of legislation before the House and Senate this year aimed at taking control of this problem.
HB 755, relates to groundwater contamination. That bill is still in the House Committee.
HB 758, relative to the sale of gasoline containing ethers. I am co-sponsor of that bill which was voted out of Committee 13-1 and will soon rn,ove on to the Senate.
And lastly, SB 189, sets up a gasoline remidiation and elimination fund. This bill is still in the Senate Environment Committee, they are expected to vote on it soon.
In conclusion, I anticipate even more communities will come to the legislature for help in the coming months. I am getting "out in front" on this legislation because I do not think we, as lawmakers, want to be playing "catchup" on this issue. I think it is in our best interest to act now to bring cleaner water to our neighbors.
Thank you for hearing my testimony today. I ask you to work with us to move forward in the interest of the public's health.