Research, development, and demonstration
Hazardous substance research and training
Authorities of Secretary
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the Secretary), in consultation with the Administrator, shall establish and support a basic research and training program (through grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts) consisting of the following:
Basic research (including epidemiologic and ecologic studies) which may include each of the following:
Advanced techniques for the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects on human health of hazardous substances.
Methods to assess the risks to human health presented by hazardous substances.
Methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment and basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances.
Training, which may include each of the following:
Short courses and continuing education for State and local health and environment agency personnel and other personnel engaged in the handling of hazardous substances, in the management of facilities at which hazardous substances are located, and in the evaluation of the hazards to human health presented by such facilities.
Graduate or advanced training in environmental and occupational health and safety and in the public health and engineering aspects of hazardous waste control.
Graduate training in the geosciences, including hydrogeology, geological engineering, geophysics, geochemistry, and related fields necessary to meet professional personnel needs in the public and private sectors and to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
Director of NIEHS
Recipients of grants, etc.
A grant, cooperative agreement, or contract may be made or entered into under paragraph (1) with an accredited institution of higher education. The institution may carry out the research or training under the grant, cooperative agreement, or contract through contracts, including contracts with any of the following:
Generators of hazardous wastes.
Persons involved in the detection, assessment, evaluation, and treatment of hazardous substances.
Owners and operators of facilities at which hazardous substances are located.
State and local governments.
Procedures
Advisory council
To assist in the implementation of this subsection and to aid in the coordination of research and demonstration and training activities funded from the Fund under this section, the Secretary shall appoint an advisory council (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “Advisory Council”) which shall consist of representatives of the following:
The relevant Federal agencies.
The chemical industry.
The toxic waste management industry.
Institutions of higher education.
State and local health and environmental agencies.
The general public.
Planning
Alternative or innovative treatment technology research and demonstration program
Establishment
Administration
Contracts and grants
Use of sites
Demonstration assistance
Program components
The demonstration assistance program shall include the following:
The publication of a solicitation and the evaluation of applications for demonstration projects utilizing alternative or innovative technologies.
The selection of sites which are suitable for the testing and evaluation of innovative technologies.
The development of detailed plans for innovative technology demonstration projects.
The supervision of such demonstration projects and the providing of quality assurance for data obtained.
The evaluation of the results of alternative innovative technology demonstration projects and the determination of whether or not the technologies used are effective and feasible.
Solicitation
Applications
Project selection
Site selection
Demonstration plan
Supervision and testing
Project completion
Extensions
Funding restrictions
Field demonstrations
Criteria
In selecting technologies to be demonstrated under this subsection, the Administrator shall, consistent with the protection of human health and the environment, consider each of the following criteria:
The potential for contributing to solutions to those waste problems which pose the greatest threat to human health, which cannot be adequately controlled under present technologies, or which otherwise pose significant management difficulties.
The availability of technologies which have been sufficiently developed for field demonstration and which are likely to be cost-effective and reliable.
The availability and suitability of sites for demonstrating such technologies, taking into account the physical, biological, chemical, and geological characteristics of the sites, the extent and type of contamination found at the site, and the capability to conduct demonstration projects in such a manner as to assure the protection of human health and the environment.
The likelihood that the data to be generated from the demonstration project at the site will be applicable to other sites.
Technology transfer
In carrying out the program, the Administrator shall conduct a technology transfer program including the development, collection, evaluation, coordination, and dissemination of information relating to the utilization of alternative or innovative treatment technologies for response actions. The Administrator shall establish and maintain a central reference library for such information. The information maintained by the Administrator shall be made available to the public, subject to the provisions of section 552 of title 5 and section 1905 of title 18, and to other Government agencies in a manner that will facilitate its dissemination; except, that upon a showing satisfactory to the Administrator by any person that any information or portion thereof obtained under this subsection by the Administrator directly or indirectly from such person, would, if made public, divulge—
trade secrets; or
other proprietary information of such person,
the Administrator shall not disclose such information and disclosure thereof shall be punishable under section 1905 of title 18. This subsection is not authority to withhold information from Congress or any committee of Congress upon the request of the chairman of such committee.
Training
The Administrator is authorized and directed to carry out, through the Office of Technology Demonstration, a program of training and an evaluation of training needs for each of the following:
Training in the procedures for the handling and removal of hazardous substances for employees who handle hazardous substances.
Training in the management of facilities at which hazardous substances are located and in the evaluation of the hazards to human health presented by such facilities for State and local health and environment agency personnel.
Definition
Hazardous substance research
University hazardous substance research centers
Grant program
Responsibilities of centers
Applications
Selection criteria
The Administrator shall select recipients of grants under this subsection on the basis of the following criteria:
The hazardous substance research center shall be located in a State which is representative of the needs of the region in which such State is located for improved hazardous waste management.
The grant recipient shall be located in an area which has experienced problems with hazardous substance management.
There is available to the grant recipient for carrying out this subsection demonstrated research resources.
The capability of the grant recipient to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate hazardous substance management problems.
The grant recipient shall make a commitment to support ongoing hazardous substance research programs with budgeted institutional funds of at least $100,000 per year.
The grant recipient shall have an interdisciplinary staff with demonstrated expertise in hazardous substance management and research.
The grant recipient shall have a demonstrated ability to disseminate results of hazardous substance research and educational programs through an interdisciplinary continuing education program.
The projects which the grant recipient proposes to carry out under the grant are necessary and appropriate.
Maintenance of effort
Federal share
Limitation on use of funds
Administration through the Office of the Administrator
Equitable distribution of funds
Technology transfer activities
Report to Congress
Saving provision
Small business participation
Source
(Pub. L. 96–510, title III, § 311, as added Pub. L. 99–499, title II, § 209(b),Notes
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Methamphetamine Remediation Research
SHORT TITLE.
FINDINGS.
“The Congress finds the following:
Methamphetamine use and production is growing rapidly throughout the United States.
Materials and residues remaining from the production of methamphetamine pose novel environmental problems in locations where methamphetamine laboratories have been closed.
There has been little standardization of measures for determining when the site of a closed methamphetamine laboratory has been successfully remediated.
Initial cleanup actions are generally limited to removal of hazardous substances and contaminated materials that pose an immediate threat to public health or the environment. It is not uncommon for significant levels of contamination to be found throughout residential structures after a methamphetamine laboratory has closed, partially because of a lack of knowledge of how to achieve an effective cleanup.
Data on methamphetamine laboratory-related contaminants of concern are very limited, and cleanup standards do not currently exist. In addition, procedures for sampling and analysis of contaminants need to be researched and developed.
Many States are struggling with establishing remediation guidelines and programs to address the rapidly expanding number of methamphetamine laboratories being closed each year.
VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES.
Establishment of Voluntary Guidelines.—
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act [
Considerations.—
In developing the voluntary guidelines under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider, at a minimum—
relevant standards, guidelines, and requirements found in Federal, State, and local laws and regulations;
the varying types and locations of former methamphetamine laboratories; and
the expected cost of carrying out any proposed guidelines.
States.—
The voluntary guidelines should be designed to assist State and local governments in the development and the implementation of legislation and other policies to apply state-of-the-art knowledge and research results to the remediation of former methamphetamine laboratories. The Administrator shall work with State and local governments and other relevant non-Federal agencies and organizations, including through the conference described in section 5, to promote and encourage the appropriate adoption of the voluntary guidelines.
Updating the Guidelines.—
The Administrator shall periodically update the voluntary guidelines as the Administrator, in consultation with States and other interested parties, determines to be necessary and appropriate to incorporate research findings and other new knowledge.
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
“The Administrator shall establish a program of research to support the development and revision of the voluntary guidelines described in section 3. Such research shall—
identify methamphetamine laboratory-related chemicals of concern;
assess the types and levels of exposure to chemicals of concern identified under paragraph (1), including routine and accidental exposures, that may present a significant risk of adverse biological effects, and the research necessary to better address biological effects and to minimize adverse human exposures;
evaluate the performance of various methamphetamine laboratory cleanup and remediation techniques; and
support other research priorities identified by the Administrator in consultation with States and other interested parties.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CONFERENCE.
Conference.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [
Report.—
Not later than 3 months after each conference, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Congress that summarizes the proceedings of the conference, including a summary of any recommendations or concerns raised by the non-Federal participants and how the Administrator intends to respond to them. The report shall also be made widely available to the general public.
RESIDUAL EFFECTS STUDY.
Study.—
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [
the residents of buildings where such laboratories are, or were, located, with particular emphasis given to biological impacts on children; and
first responders.
Report.—
Not later than 3 months after the completion of the study, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on how the Administrator will use the results of the study to carry out the activities described in sections 3 and 4.
METHAMPHETAMINE DETECTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
“The Director of National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the Administrator, shall support a research program to develop—
new methamphetamine detection technologies, with emphasis on field test kits and site detection; and
appropriate standard reference materials and validation procedures for methamphetamine detection testing.
SAVINGS CLAUSE.
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Environmental Protection Agency.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out this Act $1,750,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
National Institute of Standards and Technology.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out this Act $750,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008.”
Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research, Development, and Demonstration Center
Establishment of hazardous substance research, development, and demonstration center.—
The Administrator shall establish a hazardous substance research, development, and demonstration center (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the ‘Center’) for the purpose of conducting research to aid in more effective hazardous substance response and waste management throughout the Gulf Coast.
Purposes of the center.—
The Center shall carry out a program of research, evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration of alternative or innovative technologies which may be utilized in response actions or in normal handling of hazardous wastes to achieve better protection of human health and the environment.
Operation of center.—
For purposes of operating the Center, the Administrator is authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, and make grants to, a university related institute involved with the improvement of waste management. Such institute shall be located in Jefferson County, Texas.
The Center shall be authorized to make grants, accept contributions, and enter into agreements with universities located in the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida in order to carry out the purposes of the Center.
Authorization of appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for purposes of carrying out this subsection for fiscal years beginning after
Pacific Northwest Hazardous Substance Research, Development, and Demonstration Center
Establishment.—
The Administrator shall establish a hazardous substance research, development, and demonstration center (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the ‘Center’) for the purpose of conducting research to aid in more effective hazardous substance response in the Pacific Northwest.
Purposes of center.—
The Center shall carry out a program of research, evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration of alternative or innovative technologies which may be utilized in response actions to achieve more permanent protection of human health and welfare and the environment.
Operation of center.—
Nonprofit entity.—
For the purposes of operating the Center, the Administrator is authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, and make grants to, a nonprofit private entity as defined in section 201(i) of Public Law 96-517 [probably means section 201(i) of Title 35, Patents, which was enacted by section 6(a) of Pub. L. 96–517,
Authorities.—
The Center shall be authorized to make grants, accept contributions, and enter into agreements with universities located in the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana in order to carry out the purposes of the Center.
Hazardous waste research at the hanford site.—
Interagency agreements.—
The Administrator and the Secretary of Energy are authorized to enter into interagency agreements with one another for the purpose of providing for research, evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration into alternative or innovative technologies to characterize and assess the nature and extent of hazardous waste (including radioactive mixed waste) contamination at the Hanford site, in the State of Washington.
Funding.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy for purposes of carrying out this paragraph for fiscal years beginning after
Authorization of appropriations.—
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for purposes of carrying out this subsection (other than paragraph (4)) for fiscal years beginning after
Congressional Statement of Purpose
To establish a comprehensive and coordinated Federal program of research, development, demonstration, and training for the purpose of promoting the development of alternative and innovative treatment technologies that can be used in response actions under the CERCLA program, to provide incentives for the development and use of such technologies, and to improve the scientific capability to assess, detect and evaluate the effects on and risks to human health from hazardous substances.
To establish a basic university research and education program within the Department of Health and Human Services and a research, demonstration, and training program within the Environmental Protection Agency.
To reserve certain funds from the Hazardous Substance Trust Fund to support a basic research program within the Department of Health and Human Services, and an applied and developmental research program within the Environmental Protection Agency.
To enhance the Environmental Protection Agency’s internal research capabilities related to CERCLA activities, including site assessment and technology evaluation.
To provide incentives for the development of alternative and innovative treatment technologies in a manner that supplements or coordinates with, but does not compete with or duplicate, private sector development of such technologies.”