[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1580 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1580
To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
to award grants for electronic waste reduction research, development,
and demonstration projects, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2009
Mr. Gordon of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr.
Baird, Mr. Carnahan, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Wu, and
Mr. Lujan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
to award grants for electronic waste reduction research, development,
and demonstration projects, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Electronic Waste Research and
Development Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The volume of obsolete, broken, stored, or discarded
electronic devices, known as electronic waste, is substantial
and will continue to grow. The Environmental Protection Agency
estimates that over 2 billion computers, televisions, cell
phones, printers, gaming systems, and other devices have been
sold since 1980, generating 2 million tons of unwanted
electronic devices in 2005 alone.
(2) Electronic waste can be refurbished or recycled to
recover and conserve valuable materials, such as gold, copper,
and platinum. However, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency, only 15 to 20 percent of household generated
electronic waste reaches recyclers.
(3) The electronic waste recycling industry in the United
States is growing; however, challenges remain for the recycling
of electronic waste generated by households and other small
generators. Collection of the electronic waste is expensive,
and separation and proper disposal of some of the materials
recovered, like lead from cathode-ray tube televisions, is
costly.
(4) The export of electronic waste to developing countries
also presents a serious challenge. The crude methods of many of
the recycling operations in these countries can expose workers
to harmful chemicals, jeopardizing their health and polluting
the environment.
(5) Some of the challenges to increasing the volume of
electronic waste that is recycled can be addressed by improving
the logistics and technology of the collection and recycling
process, designing electronic devices to avoid the use of
hazardous materials and to be more easily recycled, and
encouraging the use of recycled materials in more applications.
(6) The public currently does not take full advantage of
existing electronic waste recycling opportunities. Studying
factors that influence behavior and educating consumers about
electronic waste could help communities and private industry
develop recycling programs that draw more participation.
(7) The development of tools and technologies to increase
the lifespan of electronic devices and to promote their safe
re-use would decrease the impact of the production and disposal
of electronic devices on the environment.
(8) Accurately assessing the environmental impacts of the
production of electronic devices and the recycling of
electronic waste is a complex task. Data, tools, and methods to
better quantify these impacts would help policymakers and
others determine the best end-of-life management options for
electronic devices.
SEC. 3. ELECTRONIC WASTE ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall award multiyear grants to
consortia to conduct research to create innovative and practical
approaches to reduce the volume and manage the environmental impacts of
electronic waste and, through the conduct of this research, to
contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers,
and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing,
design, refurbishing, and recycling. The grants awarded under this
section shall support research to--
(1) increase the efficiency of and improve electronic waste
collection and recycling;
(2) expand the uses and applications for materials
recovered from electronic waste;
(3) develop and demonstrate environmentally friendly
alternatives to the use of hazardous and potentially hazardous
materials in electronic devices and the production of such
devices;
(4) develop methods to identify, separate, and remove
hazardous and potentially hazardous materials from electronic
waste and to re-use, recycle, or dispose of such materials in a
safe manner;
(5) reconsider product design and assembly to facilitate
and improve refurbishment, re-use, and recycling of electronic
devices;
(6) conduct lifecycle analyses of electronic devices,
including developing tools and methods to assess the
environmental impacts of the production, use, and end-of-life
management of electronic devices and electronic device
components;
(7) develop product design, tools, and techniques to extend
the lifecycle of electronic devices, including methods to
promote their upgrade and safe re-use; and
(8) develop strategies to increase awareness, consumer
acceptance, and the practice of responsible recycling and re-
use for electronic waste.
(b) Merit Review; Competition.--Grants shall be awarded under this
section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
(c) Applications.--A consortium shall submit an application for a
grant under this section to the Administrator at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information and assurances as the
Administrator may require. The application shall include a description
of--
(1) the research project that will be undertaken by the
consortium and the contributions of each of the participating
entities, including the for-profit entity;
(2) the applicability of the project to reduce electronic
waste in the electronic device design, manufacturing,
refurbishing, or recycling industries;
(3) the potential for and feasibility of incorporating the
research results into industry practice; and
(4) how the project will promote collaboration among
scientists and engineers from different disciplines, such as
electrical engineering, materials science, and social science.
(d) Dissemination of Research Results.--Research results shall be
made publicly available through--
(1) development of best practices or training materials for
use in the electronics manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or
recycling industries;
(2) dissemination at conferences affiliated with such
industries;
(3) demonstration projects; and
(4) educational materials for the public produced in
conjunction with State governments, local governments, or
nonprofit organizations on problems and solutions related to
electronic waste.
(e) Funding Contribution From For-Profit Member of Consortium.--The
for-profit entity participating in the consortium shall contribute at
least 10 percent of the total research project cost, either directly or
with in-kind contributions.
(f) Biennial Report.--Within 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall
transmit a report to Congress that provides a list of the grants
awarded under this section, the entities participating in each
consortium receiving a grant, a description of the research projects
carried out in whole or in part with funds made available under such
grant, and the results of such projects.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:
(1) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(3) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REPORT ON ELECTRONIC WASTE.
(a) In General.--In order to better recognize gaps and
opportunities in the research and training programs established in this
Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the
National Academy of Sciences for a report, to be transmitted to
Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act,
on--
(1) opportunities for and barriers to--
(A) reducing the volume of electronic waste,
specifically addressing--
(i) recycling or safe disposal of
electronic waste and low value materials
recovered from such waste;
(ii) designing electronic devices to
facilitate re-use and recycling; and
(iii) the re-use of electronic devices; and
(B) making electronic devices safer and more
environmentally friendly, specifically addressing
reducing the use of hazardous materials and potentially
hazardous materials in electronic devices;
(2) the risks posed by disposal of electronic waste; and
(3) the current status of research and training programs to
promote the environmental design of electronic devices to
reduce electronic waste.
(b) Recommendations.--The report under subsection (a) shall
identify gaps in the current research and training programs in
addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to
electronic waste, and the report shall recommend areas where additional
research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of
electronic waste on the environment.
SEC. 5. ENGINEERING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
(a) Grant Program.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
National Science Foundation, shall award grants to institutions of
higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles
of environmental design into the development of electronic devices--
(1) for the training of electrical, mechanical, industrial,
manufacturing, materials, and software engineers and other
students at the undergraduate and graduate level; and
(2) to support the continuing education of professionals in
the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or
recycling industries.
(b) Eligible Entities.--The term ``institution of higher
education'', as such term is used with respect to eligibility to
receive a grant under subsection (a)(2), includes any institution of
higher education under section 101(b) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(b)).
(c) Merit Review; Competition.--Grants shall be awarded under this
section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
(d) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used
for activities that enhance the ability of an institution of higher
education to broaden the undergraduate and graduate-level engineering
curriculum or professional continuing education curriculum to include
environmental engineering design principles and consideration of
product life cycles related to electronic devices and the reduction of
electronic waste. Activities may include--
(1) developing and revising curriculum to include
multidisciplinary elements;
(2) creating research and internship opportunities for
students through partnerships with industry, nonprofit
organizations, or government agencies;
(3) creating and establishing certificate programs; and
(4) developing curricula for short courses and continuing
education for professionals in the environmental design of
electronic devices to reduce electronic waste.
(e) Application.--An institution of higher education seeking a
grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Administrator at such time, in such manner, and with such information
and assurances as the Administrator may require.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(2) $5,150,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(3) $5,304,000 for fiscal year 2012.
SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS PHYSICAL
PROPERTY DATABASE.
(a) In General.--The Director shall establish an initiative to
develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally
friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices.
(b) Priorities.--The Director, working with the electronic device
design, manufacturing, or recycling industries, shall develop a
strategic plan to establish priorities and the physical property
characterization requirements for the database described in subsection
(a).
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:
(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(2) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Consortium.--The term ``consortium'' means a grant
applicant or recipient under section 3(a) that includes--
(A) at least one institution of higher education,
nonprofit research institution, or government
laboratory; and
(B) at least one for-profit entity, including a
manufacturer, designer, refurbisher, or recycler of
electronic devices or the components of such devices.
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(4) Electronic waste.--The term ``electronic waste'' means
obsolete, broken, stored, or discarded electronic devices,
including computers, computer monitors, televisions, laptops,
printers, cellular phones, copiers, fax machines, stereos,
video gaming systems, and the components of such devices.
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
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