To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development, and demonstration projects, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-1580
Sponsor: Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]
Introduced: 2009-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Education programs funding
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Higher education
Manufacturing
Minority education
Product development and innovation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Solid waste and recycling
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-18
text: 
Electronic Waste Research and Development Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award multiyear grants to consortia to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to reduce the volume and manage the environmental impacts of electronic waste and to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling. Sets forth the ways in which research results shall be disseminated to the public.
 
Requires the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress on: (1) opportunities for and barriers to reducing the volume of electronic waste and making electronic devises safer and more environmentally friendly; (2) the risks posed by disposal of electronic waste; and (3) the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to reduce electronic waste. 
 
Requires the Administrator to award grants to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices: (1) for the training of engineers and students; and (2) to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries. Requires such grants to be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution to broaden the engineering or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product life cycles related to electronic devices and the reduction of electronic waste.
 
Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices. Requires the Director to develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and physical property characterization requirements for the database.
 

action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act - (Sec. 3) Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award multiyear grants through a competitive, merit-based process to consortia: (1) to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to reduce the volume and manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices through recycling, reuse, reduction of the use of hazardous materials, and life-cycle extension; and (2) through such research, to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling.
 
Sets forth the ways in which research results shall be disseminated to the public.
 
Provides for the protection of proprietary information of trade secrets provided by any person or entity pursuant to this Act.
 
Requires the Administrator to report to Congress biennially on the grants awarded and the results of research projects carried out under such grants. 
 
(Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator to enter into an arrangement for the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress on: (1) opportunities for, and barriers to, increasing the recyclability of electronic devices and making electronic devises safer and more environmentally friendly; (2) the risks posed by the storage, transport, recycling, and disposal of electronic devices; (3) the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices; and (4) regulatory or statutory barriers that may prevent the adoption or implementation of best management practices or technological innovations that may arise from the research and training programs established in this Act. Requires such reports to: (1) identify gaps in the current research and training programs in addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to electronic device recycling; and (2) recommend areas where additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of electronic devices on the environment.
 
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator to award grants through a competitive, merit-based process to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices: (1) for the training of engineers and other students; and (2) to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries. Requires: (1) the Administrator to conduct outreach to minority serving institutions to provide information about the grants; and (2) such grants to be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution to broaden the engineering or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product life cycles related to electronic devices and increasing the recyclability of such devices. 
 
(Sec. 6) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to: (1) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices; and (2) develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and physical property characterization requirements for the database.
 
 
Authorizes appropriations.

action_date: 2009-04-22
text: 
Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act - (Sec. 3) Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award multiyear grants through a competitive, merit-based process to consortia: (1) to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices through recycling, reuse, reduction of the use of hazardous materials, and life-cycle extension; and (2) through such research, to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling.
 
Sets forth the ways in which research results shall be disseminated to the public.
 
Provides for the protection of proprietary information of trade secrets provided by any person or entity pursuant to this Act.
 
Requires the Administrator to report to Congress biennially on the grants awarded and the results of research projects carried out under such grants. 
 
(Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator to enter into an arrangement for the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress on: (1) opportunities for, and barriers to, increasing the recyclability of electronic devices and making electronic devises safer and more environmentally friendly; (2) the risks posed by the storage, transport, recycling, and disposal of unwanted electronic devices; (3) the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices; and (4) regulatory or statutory barriers that may prevent the adoption or implementation of best management practices or technological innovations that may arise from the research and training programs established in this Act. Requires such reports to: (1) identify gaps in the current research and training programs in addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to electronic device recycling; and (2) recommend areas where additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environment.
 
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator to award grants through a competitive, merit-based process to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices: (1) for the training of engineers and other students; and (2) to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries. Requires: (1) the Administrator to conduct outreach to minority serving institutions to provide information about the grants; and (2) such grants to be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution to broaden the engineering or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product lifecycles related to electronic devices and increasing the recyclability of such devices. 
 
(Sec. 6) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to: (1) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices; and (2) develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and physical property characterization requirements for the database.
 
 
Authorizes appropriations.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-23
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4606-4608)
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4606-4608)
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1580.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4606-4610)
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Mr. Gordon (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 32.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-75.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-75.
action_date: 2009-03-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-03-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2009-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-11
text: Hearings Held Prior to Introduction and Referral.