[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CAMP-PRICE DRY CLEANING ENVIRONMENTAL TAX CREDIT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 1999

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today, Rep. Dave Camp and I 
are introducing the Camp-Price Dry Cleaning Environmental Tax Credit 
Act, legislation which would provide an incentive for dry cleaners to 
transition to environmentally friendly dry cleaning technologies. Under 
this legislation, dry cleaners would be able to take a 20-percent tax 
credit on the purchase of technologies that substantially reduce risks 
to public health and the environment.
  The Federal Government can and should help accelerate the transition 
to technologies that meet our criteria for greater energy efficiency, 
or greater protection of public health and the environment. If we 
really want the private sector to move toward greener and healthier 
technologies, and if we don't want to simply rely on new regulation to 
do it, the simplest, most effective method is through targeted tax 
incentives. President Clinton has proposed this type of approach for 
equipment that helps reduce energy consumption, and I think it is also 
appropriate for equipment that helps protect human health and the 
environment.
  We are just beginning to see the possibilities of what technology can 
accomplish for environmental protection. Environmental technology 
promises to mend the rift that has too often arisen between 
environmental protection and economic development. It will make 
reducing pollution easier and cheaper, and it will itself become an 
engine for growth in our economy.
  I am pleased to join with my colleague on this initiative and look 
forward to working with him to achieve its passage.

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