[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 127 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10858-S10861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Rockefeller):
  S. 2967. A bill to provide for the implementation of a Green 
Chemistry Research and Development Program, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce bipartisan 
legislation, ``The Green Chemistry Research and Development Act,'' with 
Senator Rockefeller. Green chemistry is a science-based approach to 
pollution prevention, seeking to reduce the chemical impact on the 
environment by developing non-toxic technology. The American chemical, 
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as the American 
Chemical Society, support this legislation, which

[[Page S10861]]

promises to speed the development of environmentally benign chemical 
technology. I would like to request that a letter in support of this 
legislation from Dr. Michael J. Eckardt, Vice President for Research at 
the University of Maine, be printed in the Record
  Green chemistry research and development improves technology used in 
industrial procedures and promotes the design of safer chemicals, the 
use of sustainable resources, the use of biotechnology alternatives to 
chemistry-based solutions, and an understanding of the chemical aspects 
of renewable energy. Clearly, there is a need to promote this emerging 
field, still relatively unknown, which furnishes both economic and 
environmental rewards--proving that the two are not, in fact, mutually 
exclusive.
  The legislation establishes a Green Chemistry Research and 
Development Program to promote and coordinate Federal green chemistry 
research, development, demonstration, education, and technology 
transfer activities, through an interagency working group consisting of 
the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, the Department of Energy, and the Environmental 
Protection Agency. The program would provide sustained support through 
merit-based competitive research grants, research and development 
partnerships between universities, industry and nonprofit 
organizations, and research and development conducted at federal 
laboratories.
  Green chemistry R & D benefits all regions of our country, but let me 
share with you an example of how one company, Correct Deck, located in 
Biddeford, Maine, has successfully used green chemistry technology to 
grow its business. As you may know, the Environmental Protection Agency 
has issued a stricter arsenic regulation due to concerns about the 
public health effects posed by the chemical, which is commonly found in 
wood that has been treated to repel insects before being used for 
constructing outdoor decks and playground equipment. These EPA 
regulations will take effect in 2006. Correct Deck, taking advantage of 
a technology brought about through green chemistry research and 
development, manufactures a wood composite--a blend of sawdust and 
plastic--that closely resembles the boarding used on wood decks. Yet 
this composite does not splinter, requires less maintenance than wood, 
is not susceptible to termites, and most importantly, contains no 
harmful chemicals. By staying ahead of the curve, Correct Deck has seen 
sales of its wood composite skyrocket, and has since been striving to 
meet the ballooning demand for non-arsenic treated products for decks. 
Thus an environmental benefit also proves profitable.
  The breadth of green chemistry's positive impact on our lives extends 
far beyond decks. Also in the process of development are next-
generation pesticides that target specific insects while avoiding harm 
to other species, and, through steadfast commitment to avoiding 
environmental harm, are designed to degrade into harmless materials 
after serving their purpose, rather than dangerously persisting in the 
environment. Green chemistry R & D is also discovering methods for 
using carbon dioxide as a feedstock for industrial processes, rather 
than as a harmful byproduct, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  I could continue, but the windfalls are just too many to enumerate 
here. From removing public health threats, to enhancing worker safety, 
to contributing to the battle against human-induced global warming, the 
multiple benefits of green chemistry research and development are truly 
exciting, which is why this legislation has strong support from both 
environmentalists and the chemical industry. One of many chemical 
company executives singing the praises of green chemistry R & D, David 
Buzzelli of Dow Chemical Company aptly stated, ``Green chemistry 
technology is testament that when we merge our environmental commitment 
with innovative chemistry, we can create results that benefit our 
customers and society.''
  My colleagues, by passing this bipartisan legislation and thereby 
coordinating and supporting ongoing green chemistry research and 
development, we speed these benefits along to all Americans by acting 
both as stalwart environmental stewards and innovative supporters of 
environmentally friendly industrial processes. I strongly urge you to 
support this legislation--and to consider the business opportunities 
and environmental benefits that the promising field of green chemistry 
could bring to your respective states.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                      The University of Maine,

                                    Orono, ME, September 13, 2004.
     Hon. Olympia Snowe,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Snowe: We request your support for legislation 
     pending in the Senate to provide for the implementation of a 
     green chemistry research and development program. The 
     University of Maine is a member of the New England Green 
     Chemistry Consortium and we are working with several 
     businesses in Maine to introduce green chemistry 
     manufacturing techniques and processes to improve 
     manufacturing productivity and help the environment. Federal 
     investments in green chemistry research and development would 
     support the University's efforts to advance green chemistry 
     practices in Maine and the New England states.
       As you may know, on April 21, 2004 the House of 
     Representatives passed HR 3970, the Great Chemistry Research 
     and Development Act. The bill was referred to the Senate 
     Commerce Committee on April 22. We request your support for 
     this legislation in the Senate.
       Federally funded research at the University of Maine on 
     green chemistry technologies would enhance our work in the 
     area of natural resource processing. Specifically, UM would 
     expand work on interfacial aspects of polymeric based 
     composite materials, including primarily paper, and wood 
     composites. The paper industry would benefit from development 
     of solvent free release coatings, coatings for solvent free 
     inks, and water based gravure printing. UM would also expand 
     its work to help Maine's emerging extruded wood/thermoplastic 
     composites industry develop new water based coatings and 
     adhesive systems to replace current solvent based methods and 
     chemistries that involve formaldehyde.
       Thank you for considering this request and for your 
     continued support for research at the University of Maine.
           Sincerely yours,
                                        Michael J. Eckardt, Ph.D.,
                                      Vice President for Research.
                                 ______