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Managing America: Environment

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending September 7, 2007

H.R.2850 To provide for the implementation of a Green Chemistry Research and Development Program, and for other purposes.

Under an order from the president, green chemistry research would be expanded through a coordination of Federal research, development, demonstration, education and technology-transfer resources.

The idea is to stimulate interest in green chemistry defined as ‘chemistry and chemical engineering to design chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances while producing high quality products through safe and efficient manufacturing’.

To accomplish the directive, the president would first create an Interagency Working Group and the Green Chemistry Research and Development Program. Competitive grants would be available to universities, industry and nonprofits to conduct the research. Green chemistry is to be considered in the conduct of Federal chemical science and engineering research and development, the solicitation and evaluation of proposals for that research. An examination is ordered to determine how the Federal government can create incentives for the use of green chemistry processes and products and to facilitate their use.

The Director of the National Science Foundation shall carry out a program to support efforts by some educational institutions to revise their undergraduate curriculum to incorporate green chemistry concepts and strategies. Grants to accomplish that will require non-Federal cost sharing to match the Federal dollars.

Universities may also form partnerships with professional associations and companies in the chemical industries to retrain chemists and engineers in the use of green chemistry concepts and strategies. Grants for such partnerships also require non-Federal matching funds and may provide stipends for individuals to enroll.

NSF will partner with the National Research Council to study barriers to successful application of promising green chemistry research products including commercialization of the product and public policy options. A report is due Congress in 18 months.

Sponsor:  Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA-11^th)

Vote: Agreed to by voice vote September 4, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: For the national Science Foundation grants: $7 million in 2008, $7.5 million in 2009 and $8 million in 2010. Grants to Universities for the business partnerships will cost $20 million in 2008, $21 million in 2009 and $22 million in 2010.

Total spending for the bill is $58 million for 2008, $61.5 million for 2009 and $67 million for 2010.  

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