[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 119 (Monday, August 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING GENOMATICA ON WINNING EPA'S PRESIDENTIAL GREEN CHEMISTRY 
                            CHALLENGE AWARD

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                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 1, 2011

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate Genomatica 
for being selected as one of the Environmental Protection Agency's 
(EPA) 2011 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners. As 
America and the world faces the difficult challenges of addressing 
problems with our environment, it is reassuring that there are 
companies such as Genomatica taking the initiative and working towards 
a cleaner environment.
  Green chemistry is a philosophy of chemical research and engineering 
that encourages the design of products and processes that minimize the 
use and generation of hazardous substances. This technology includes 
improvements to the environment such as cleaner processes by using 
safer raw materials. Green chemistry technologies also reduce cost and 
in most cases are less expensive when compared to conventional chemical 
products.
  For the past 16 years, the EPA has commemorated innovative, clean 
technologies by presenting its Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge 
Awards. Together, the program's 82 award winners annually:
  Eliminate on average 199 million pounds of hazardous chemicals and 
solvents--enough to fill a freight train nearly 11 miles long;
  Save over 21 billion gallons of water--enough to meet the annual 
needs of over 820,000 people;
  Eliminate more than 57 million pounds of carbon dioxide--equal to 
taking 6,000 automobiles off the road.
  Collectively, the winners, as well as the nominated technologies, 
annually reduce the use or generation of more than 1 billion pounds of 
hazardous materials.
  Genomatica received the Greener Synthetic Pathways Award for its 
production of High-Volume Chemicals from Renewable Feedstock's at Lower 
Cost. The company's 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) is one of those green 
chemicals. BDO is a high-volume chemical building block that is used to 
make many common polymers, such as spandex. Genomatica has developed a 
microbe that makes BDO by fermenting sugars. When this is produced at a 
commercial scale, Genomatica's Bio-BDO will be less expensive, require 
around 60 percent less energy, and produce less than 70 percent less 
carbon dioxide emissions than BDO made from natural gas. Genomatica is 
now partnering with major companies to bring Bio-BDO to the market.
  Let history show that this year will be the year Congress makes 
progress on Green Chemistry and cleaning up the environment. All 
Americans want to come together to keep the environment safer and 
cleaner for both the present and the future. With influential companies 
like Genomatica leading the way, our nation is on its way to a greener 
tomorrow.

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