[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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