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I A-;)-. E-WASTE from page 1 . . . . . .. . . . . . . . The four online 50-minute sessions will be offered during August and September. Module 1, open only to local governments that are not yet approved e-waste collectors, will be offered on August 17 or August 30. Module 2, open to all local governments, will be offered on September 7 or September 15. Attending presentations via the Internet pro- vides local government representatives with the opportunity to access needed information from the comfort and convenience of their home or office. Just dial a toll-free number to enter a virtual classroom with other attendees and log on to the visual portion online. It's as easy as point, dial and click. Handouts can be printed directly from the logged in area of the virtual classroom. Presenters will include CIWMB staff mem- bers, and the interactive format will allowattend- ees to ask questions and share information. The sessions will be recorded and available for future viewing. This pilot project web seminar is offered free to attendees. However, future web seminars may include a modest charge to cover production and technical costs. Enrollment is open only to repre- sentatives from local government and is limited, so you are encouraged to sign up early. The E- Waste webinar announcements have been sent electronically to city and other local govemment officials. Copies of the announcement are also available on the League's web site at WM/II.cacities.orQ/resource files. MTBE from page 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cities should OPPOSE amendments to the bill that would exempt manufacturers of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from any liability for contamina- tion of local drinking water supplies, despite the Senate's position to the contrary. Under the agreement that is currently being considered, city county and other local agencies would be prevented from filing "defective product" lawsuits to recover cleanup costs. Numerous cities in the United States are engaged in active litigation on this legal principle. If signed into law, the MTBE manufacturers' liability exemption would cost local taxpayers nationwide an estimated $29 billion to clean up and replace local water supplies. This would represent one of the largest unfounded mandates passed down from Congress to local taxpayers in recent history. Take Action! Contact Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, and your representatives, to strongly urge them to strip any MTBE liability exemption from H.R. 6. For a sample letter on talking points on this issue log on to the League's Online Advo- cacy Center, www.cacities.ora/advocacvcenter. Any agreement on MTBE must include the principles of full cost recovery to community water systems; funds to pay for cleaning up drinking water, not just removing leaking tanks; no un- founded mandate on local governments; no bailout for MTBE producers; and no cleanup funds should be subject to annual appropriations. THE 2005 CITY HALL DIRECTORY IS NOW AVAILABLE Don't miss this opportunity to get one of the League's most useful reference tools! This comprehensive California directory provides important contact infonnation for mayors, council members and city department heads. The directory also features the League's staff directory, League partners, affiliate organizations and a wide variety of advertisers. Purchase this publication on-line at www.cacities.orQ/store or call (916) 658-8257 for an order form. City officials price $30, non-city official price $65, plus shipping & handling. PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Website--www.cacities.org