[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 132 (Friday, September 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE GREEN CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 4, 2007

  Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my 
colleagues on the Science & Technology Committee for their efforts in 
bringing H.R. 2850, the Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 
2007 to the House floor. This legislation is important and very 
necessary.
  ``Green chemistry and engineering'' is the term used to describe the 
environmentally conscious design of chemical products and processes 
that are made safer to human health and the environment by reducing or 
eliminating the use or creation of hazardous and harmful substances.
  Like many Americans, I am dedicated to reducing the causes and 
effects of global warming. Many of the solutions to global warming and 
other serious environmental problems need to be addressed at the 
molecular design level. This legislation does just that. It provides a 
path forward so that our chemists and engineers are able to conduct 
their work and research in an environmentally friendly manner.
  This bill is also in alignment with the innovations legislation that 
was signed into law in August. It will help to sustain the United 
States' position as a global leader in the science and engineering 
fields and promote our ability to compete with other nations. The 
National Academies report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'', 
commissioned by the House Science & Technology Committee, points out 
the growing concern for America's ability to compete in today's global 
economy. H.R. 2850 supports innovation by:
  Authorizing funding for green chemistry and engineering research;
  Investing in young researchers;
  Fostering collaborative R&D partnerships among our universities, 
industry, and nonprofit organizations;
  Promoting education and training of undergraduate and graduate 
students, as well as professional chemists and chemical engineers;
  Recognizing the value of the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships in 
the adoption of green chemistry and engineering innovations; and
  Providing for much needed science research to identify barriers to 
commercialization of safer chemistry and engineering practices.
  This legislation is supported by my constituents who are members of 
the Green Mountain American Chemical Society. This organization 
includes members from Vermont's universities and colleges, and from 
Vermont industries, such as IBM, BF Goodrich, Seventh Generation, and 
Biotek. Other supporters of H.R. 2850 include Vermont's Manufacturing 
Extension Partnerships and the Vermont Technology Council.
  Vermont's business community is advocating ``green chemistry and 
engineering'' research. Vermont-based Seventh Generation Inc. is a 
leading nationwide distributor of environmentally sensitive household 
soaps, detergents, paper products and diapers. According to Jeff 
Hollender and Martin Wolfe at Seventh Generation, on the face of it, 
green chemistry is pretty basic: find ways to make non-toxic or less 
harmful chemical alternatives from non-toxic or less harmful raw 
materials using processes that don't create pollution, and manufacture 
goods using less water, energy, and other natural resources. While the 
concept is simple, the reality is far from it. However, instead of 
representing failure, the current lack of alternatives just means that 
a lot of work still needs to be done.
  Educators in Vermont are also supportive of increasing resources for 
green chemistry research. Dr. Daniel Savin of the University of Vermont 
is doing critical green chemistry research on the development and use 
of biodegradable plastics that are derived from renewable biomass 
resources as an alternative to the traditional petroleum-based 
plastics, whose production results in harmful greenhouse gas emissions. 
Dr. Savin is investigating the extraction of the feedstock for a new 
plastics material from whey-protein, a natural byproduct of Vermont's 
very important cheese production. These plastics could be used in pest 
control applications, weed suppression, and water retention; reducing 
the use of harmful chemicals and the depletion of natural resources. 
This is just one example of the value of investing in green chemistry 
and engineering research.
  H.R. 2850 represents an important investment in green chemistry and 
engineering research and education. I am pleased to support its passage 
and urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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