[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                THE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1994

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise in support of the National 
Environmental Technology Act of 1994 which I have cosponsored.
  I feel strongly that this bill provides support to an up-and-coming 
industry in Vermont, and one of the most important industries in our 
Nation. Small businesses need guidance and support to tap the 
environmental technology market, and Americans need good-paying jobs. 
These are concerns that we have today, and they are addressed in S. 
978.
  The visionary strength of S. 978 is that it also takes care of our 
concerns for tomorrow. The Environmental Technology Act promotes 
economic vitality in a way that will make the world a better place for 
our children. Ultimately, this is the goal we have to keep our eye on.
  Many special interests court the idea that environmental stewardship 
chokes off economic prosperity. Most Vermonters know that the opposite 
is true--environmental degradation is the millstone that brings on 
economic decline. The Environmental Technology Act is clear recognition 
that economic prosperity and environmental conservation go hand in 
hand. I believe that this is the direction in which Vermont and the 
country must go.
  Vermont has already seen both the benefits and challenges of using 
new, innovative technology in place of traditional solutions. Several 
Vermonters developed a technique of modeling the flow of contaminated 
groundwater through soil. When this modeling technology was applied to 
a local superfund site at Barge Canal in Burlington, it became clear 
that the EPA was about to embark on a costly cleanup effort that would 
yield few, if any, environmental benefits. New technology saved 
millions of dollars on this project alone. S. 978 sets aside a certain 
amount of cleanup money from the Department of Energy, Department of 
Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency to use innovative 
technology and groundwater modeling from the University of Vermont.
  On another front, construction of a biomass gasification plant may 
begin in Burlington next year. The powerplant will use organic fuels 
such as wood chips and corn stalks to power Burlington's energy grid. 
One of the biggest hurdles in moving this project forward was getting a 
warrantee for a turbine. The turbine technology had not been tested in 
the specific application that Burlington needed. S. 978 creates a 
technology verification program at the EPA to help producers and 
consumers address challenges like this one.
  Gardener's Supply Co. of Burlington is pioneering exciting new 
technology for treating and reusing wastewater through ``Living 
Machines.'' These machines duplicate nature's way of removing toxic 
substances, but accomplishes it at a quicker pace. Polluted water is 
channeled through a series of tanks inside a greenhouse. The tanks are 
exposed to sunlight and contain a carefully designed progression of 
bacteria, algae, snails, and fish. By imitating the way nature purifies 
water, these living machines are at the cutting edge of a revolutionary 
approach to treating wastewater. This bill provides funding for joint 
private and Federal precommercial research and development for projects 
like the Gardener's Supply Co. treatment plant. A Federal partnership 
may be all that Gardener's Supply Co. needs to complete its testing and 
put the product on the market.
  Seventh Generation of Colchester, VT, sells everyday household 
products for a healthy planet. With the motto ``In our every 
deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next 
seven generations,'' this mail-order company sells competitive 
environmentally friendly products that we can use all the time. Many of 
these products bring the concept of pollution prevention into our own 
homes. S. 978 targets pollution prevention as a key market for further 
investment.
  Atlantic Orient of Norwich and Green Mountain Power of South 
Burlington are working together to test the latest developments in 
wind-generated power. Atlantic Orient has developed a commercially 
viable small wind turbine and Green Mountain Power is testing these 
turbines for large-scale use at electric utilities. This is only a 
small part of the energy conservation and energy services industry in 
Vermont. The technical assistance available to small companies through 
S. 978 will help develop Vermont's energy industries further.
  Finally, Merrell Footwear of South Burlington has developed a best-
selling hiking boot made with recycled materials. Merrell uses computer 
papers and coffee filters to produce 65 percent of the boots' insoles, 
and old tires to make 10 percent of its soles. This is the kind of 
product we need to support to keep our high standard of living, and 
still fulfill our conservation obligations to younger generations.
  I am looking forward to the economic opportunities that this bill 
provides to Vermonters, and I welcome the economic and environmental 
security that it provides for our children. I have mentioned only a few 
of the many companies in Vermont who have taken the initiative to 
develop environmental technology. This bill will help many of our 
growing companies break into larger markets and help new companies find 
opportunity where today there is very little. I urge my colleagues to 
support the Environmental Technology Act of 1994.

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