Notwithstanding Section 43013.1, the Secretary for Environmental Protection may prohibit the use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in motor vehicle fuel prior to December 31, 2002, on a subregional basis in the Bay Area Air Basin, or in any other air basin in the state, if the secretary finds and determines all of the following:
- (a) That the removal of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel on a subregional basis will not cause or contribute to the basin being designated as a state or federal nonattainment area for one or more ambient air quality standards, including, but not limited to, state or federal ambient air standards for ambient ozone and carbon monoxide.
- (b) That the removal of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel will not increase potency-weighted air toxic compounds, or violate one or more control measures adopted by the state board or a district pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 39650) of Part 2.
- (c) That the subregion is a vulnerable groundwater area as defined in Section 25292.4.
- (d) That the removal of MTBE will not significantly affect the price or supply of gasoline in the subregion.