The Washington-based Renewable Fuels Association says President Bush is close to denying California’s waiver on a Clean Air Act requirement. That could be good news for Missouri’s burgeoning ethanol industry. The state had asked for the exemption in the automobile pollution requirements because a chemical. MTBE, that helped vehicles burn fuel cleaner was found unsafe for groundwater. Californians say a waiver is needed while an alternative to MBTE is found. Ethanol proponents argue the grain-based fuel is a ready alternative.