Volume 146, No. 146 covering the 2nd Session of the 106th Congress (1999 - 2000) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S11537-S11538 on Nov. 14, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Mr. TORRICELLI:
S. 3271. A bill to require increased waste prevention and recycling measures to be incorporated in the daily operations of Federal agencies, and other purposes; to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
GREENING THE GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2000
Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to offer the ``Greening the Government Act of 2000.'' This bill would allow the Federal Government to use its purchasing power to conserve natural resources, create markets for the materials that the American people recycle in their home and office recycling programs, and reduce the toxicity of products commonly used by establishing an infrastructure for coordinating and expanding Federal recycling and ``green'' purchasing activities.
The Federal Government spends $275 billion each year buying goods and services. With this immense purchasing power, and through its research, development and assistance programs, it can influence markets to create more environmentally friendly products. Indeed, I believe that the Federal Government should be a leader in demonstrating how organizations can meet their mission in a cost-effective and environmentally protective way.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate America Recycles Day. Millions of Americans will re-dedicate themselves to recycling and, more importantly, closing the recycling loop by buying recycled content products. Hundreds of American companies are also recognizing the importance and cost-effectiveness of ``greening'' their operations. For instance, in my State of New Jersey, Telecordia Technologies has saved more than $3 million by recycling 72 percent of its waste. Telecordia saves $4,000 per week by simply replacing disposable cafeteria trays with recycled content plastic trays. I believe that the Federal Government can also achieve similar savings by ``greening'' its operations and encouraging environmental innovation. Indeed, the Federal Government's purchasing decisions can tremendously affect the environment we leave to future generations.
Building on the progress made during the past seven years under President Clinton's Executive Order 13101, ``Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition,'' the Greening the Government Act of 2000 will establish a permanent infrastructure for coordinating, promoting, and expanding Federal recycling and ``green'' procurement activities. Under this legislation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will designate both recycled content products and environmentally preferable products and services for Federal agencies to purchase. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also create a list of biobased products for agencies to consider purchasing. Federal agencies will then incorporate procurement of these USDA and EPA-designated products and services into their acquisition processes. Finally, Federal research and development monies, technology transfer programs, and assistance programs will be expanded to facilitate the development of greener technologies.
In 1994, approximately 12 percent of the copier paper purchased by the Federal Government was recycled content paper, and that contained only ten percent postconsumer (recycled content) fiber. President Clinton increased the Federal postconsumer content standard to 30 percent. Today, 98 percent of the copier paper purchased from the Government Printing Office and General Services Administration contains 30 percent postconsumer fiber. The Greening the Government Act of 2000 raises the Federal content standard to 40 percent postconsumer fiber and, for the first time, requires agencies both to consider purchasing office papers bleached without chlorine and to purchase wood products made with sustainably grown wood.
We all know that it is not easy to buy ``green'' products. It is my intention that the ``Greening of the Government Act'' will encourage manufacturers to identify their products as ``green,'' making it easier for all Americans to buy these products. It is time that the Federal Government truly live up to the resource conservation goals first established by Congress in 1976 within the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and become a true role model in our nation's conservation efforts.
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