House Science Committee Explores “Green Chemistry”

Researchers take note – Congress is considering legislation that would provide more than $80 million for “green chemistry” research over the next three years.

So what’s “green chemistry?”

As defined by the Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2004 (H.R. 3970), the term means “chemistry and chemical engineering to design chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.”

The legislation, which was introduced by Rep. Phil Gingrey (R- Ga.), would create a program to promote and coordinate federal green chemistry research, development, demonstration, education and technology transfer activities. Among other things, the program would provide sustained financial support for green chemistry through grants to individual investigators and university researchers. The bill would also encourage green chemistry research at federal laboratories.

Another objective of the program would be to examine ways for the federal government to create incentives for the consideration and use of green chemistry processes and products, facilitate the adoption of green chemistry innovations, and expand education and training of undergraduate and graduate students in green chemistry science and engineering. The program would also collect and disseminate information on green chemistry by organizing symposia, forums, and conferences, and producing written materials in collaboration with industry, academia, and scientific and professional societies like STLE.

An Interagency Working Group, made up of representatives from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NlST), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), would run the program.

“As a chemistry major, trained in traditional chemistry, or what some have come to call ‘Brown Chemistry,’ I am very excited about the potential economic, environmental and national security benefits from the emerging field of green chemistry,” says Gingrey, the bill’s primary sponsor, who spoke at a House Science Committee hearing in March. “Preventing pollution and waste in the first place is often cheaper than mitigating and cleaning it up later, and the development of new products and processes will help spur economic growth.”

In a year when Congress is expected to accomplish little of note, Gingrey’s bill stands a chance of actually seeing the light of day. The legislation has the support of some chemical industry organizations, including the American Chemical Society and Rohm and Haas Co. House Science Committee chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R- N.Y.) is also a supporter.

“Green chemistry solutions can … save companies money and give them a competitive edge in addition to protecting the environment and workers. Green chemistry can result in green cash as well as a green environment. It’s the ultimate ‘win-win strategy,’ ” says Boehlert.

Boehlert’s committee planned to markup the bill (a crucial step before it can be considered by the full House of Representatives) in April. Despite the chairman’s support, however, there are still some big roadblocks for H.R. 3970.

At the March hearing, officials from both the EPA and NSF voiced concerns about the legislation, saying that while the Bush administration was willing to work with the Committee to achieve the bill’s goals, the White House does not believe that H.R. 3970 is necessary.

Money may also be a problem. Gingrey’s bill would authorize $84 million for green chemistry activities for fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007, splitting the money between the NSF, NIST, DOE and EPA. Given looming record budget deficits, Congress is looking under couch cushions just to find money to pay for existing programs. Creating a new one, even for an arguably noble purpose, may be out of the question.

So what do you think? Should Congress encourage new research in green chemistry? Should the feds stay away from the issue? Your representatives and senators want to hear from industry experts like you. Should you wish to share your position on the bill with lawmakers, you can find out who your representative and senators are and get contact information for them at http://www.congress.org. If you do send comments to the Hill, please send them to me as well. I’d love to hear the lubricant industry’s thoughts on Gingrey’s proposal.

by Christian A. Klein, Esq.

Christian A. Klein is a managing member of Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C., an Alexandria, Virginia-based law firm that specializes in representing trade associations and corporations on Capilol Hill and before federal regulatory agencies. He can be reached at caklein@potomac-law.com

Copyright Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers May 2004