Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007

Findings

The Congress finds the following: (1)Methamphetamine use and production is growing rapidly throughout the United States. (2)Materials and residues remaining from the production of methamphetamine pose novel environmental problems in locations where methamphetamine laboratories have been closed. (3)There has been little standardization of measures for determining when the site of a closed methamphetamine laboratory has been successfully remediated. (4)Initial cleanup actions are generally limited to removal of hazardous substances and contaminated materials that pose an immediate threat to public health or the environment. It is not uncommon for significant levels of contamination to be found throughout residential structures after a methamphetamine laboratory has closed, partially because of a lack of knowledge of how to achieve an effective cleanup. (5)Data on methamphetamine laboratory-related contaminants of concern are very limited, and cleanup standards do not currently exist. In addition, procedures for sampling and analysis of contaminants need to be researched and developed. (6)Many States are struggling with establishing remediation guidelines and programs to address the rapidly expanding number of methamphetamine laboratories being closed each year.

Voluntary guidelines

(a)

Establishment of voluntary guidelines

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (in this Act referred to as the Administrator), in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall establish voluntary guidelines, based on the best currently available scientific knowledge, for the remediation of former methamphetamine laboratories, including guidelines regarding preliminary site assessment and the remediation of residual contaminants. (b)

Considerations

In developing the voluntary guidelines under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider, at a minimum— (1)relevant standards, guidelines, and requirements found in Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; (2)the varying types and locations of former methamphetamine laboratories; and (3)the expected cost of carrying out any proposed guidelines. (c)

States

The voluntary guidelines should be designed to assist State and local governments in the development and the implementation of legislation and other policies to apply state-of-the-art knowledge and research results to the remediation of former methamphetamine laboratories. The Administrator shall work with State and local governments and other relevant non-Federal agencies and organizations, including through the conference described in section 5, to promote and encourage the appropriate adoption of the voluntary guidelines. (d)

Updating the guidelines

The Administrator shall periodically update the voluntary guidelines as the Administrator, in consultation with States and other interested parties, determines to be necessary and appropriate to incorporate research findings and other new knowledge.

Research program

The Administrator shall establish a program of research to support the development and revision of the voluntary guidelines described in section 3. Such research shall— (1)identify methamphetamine laboratory-related chemicals of concern; (2)assess the types and levels of exposure to chemicals of concern identified under paragraph (1), including routine and accidental exposures, that may present a significant risk of adverse biological effects, and the research necessary to better address biological effects and to minimize adverse human exposures; (3)evaluate the performance of various methamphetamine laboratory cleanup and remediation techniques; and (4)support other research priorities identified by the Administrator in consultation with States and other interested parties.

Technology transfer conference

(a)

Conference

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least every third year thereafter, the Administrator shall convene a conference of appropriate State agencies, as well as individuals or organizations involved in research and other activities directly related to the environmental, or biological impacts of former methamphetamine laboratories. The conference should be a forum for the Administrator to provide information on the guidelines developed under section 3 and on the latest findings from the research program described in section 4, and for the non-Federal participants to provide information on the problems and needs of States and localities and their experience with guidelines developed under section 3. (b)

Report

Not later than 3 months after each conference, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Congress that summarizes the proceedings of the conference, including a summary of any recommendations or concerns raised by the non-Federal participants and how the Administrator intends to respond to them. The report shall also be made widely available to the general public.

Residual effects study

(a)

Study

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a study of the status and quality of research on the residual effects of methamphetamine laboratories. The study shall identify research gaps and recommend an agenda for the research program described in section 4. The study shall pay particular attention to the need for research on the impacts of methamphetamine laboratories on— (1)the residents of buildings where such laboratories are, or were, located, with particular emphasis given to biological impacts on children; and (2)first responders. (b)

Report

Not later than 3 months after the completion of the study, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on how the Administrator will use the results of the study to carry out the activities described in sections 3 and 4.

Methamphetamine detection research and development program

The Director of National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the Administrator, shall support a research program to develop— (1)new methamphetamine detection technologies, with emphasis on field test kits and site detection; and (2)appropriate standard reference materials and validation procedures for methamphetamine detection testing.

Savings clause

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or limit the application of, or any obligation to comply with, any State or Federal environmental law or regulation, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.).

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

Environmental Protection Agency

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out this Act $1,750,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008. (b)

National Institute of Standards and Technology

There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out this Act $750,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008.