Senators Coons, Collins' bill would spur innovation, create jobs in sustainable chemistry

Press Release

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced a bipartisan bill to spur innovation in the field of sustainable chemistry. The Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act would encourage the design, development, and commercialization of high-performing chemicals, products, and processes that reduce or eliminate risk to human health and benefit the environment.

"Encouraging innovation in sustainable chemistry is an important way we can grow our economy while improving American health," said Senator Coons. "We have only scratched the surface of developing new ways to ensure products we use every day -- from our laundry detergent to our shoes -- are produced in a way that maintains their high quality and benefits our health and the environment. By creating a cohesive vision for our nation's sustainable chemistry research and building new partnerships with the private sector, the bipartisan Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act is an exciting opportunity to create jobs and maintain our scientific leadership."

"This bipartisan legislation will help to create American jobs and maintain the scientific leadership of the United States," said Senator Collins. "Through the promotion of a coordinated effort that supports research, development, and commercialization in the burgeoning field of sustainable chemistry, this bill will help to advance new and innovative ways to safely produce quality and safe products for all Americans."

The Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act would support sustainable chemistry research, development, technology transfer, commercialization, education, and training through federal grants and loans, targeted studies, partnerships with industry, and interagency coordination. Importantly, the bill does not include any regulatory components, nor does it authorize new spending. Its goal, rather, is to increase and coordinate federal activities in sustainable chemistry and encourage the private sector, academia, nonprofits, and the general public to innovate, develop, and bring to market cutting-edge sustainable chemistry products and processes. To achieve this, the legislation creates a federal interagency working group tasked with developing and implementing a national strategy to advance sustainable chemistry.

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