The Latest Recycling News From "Resource Recycling"

Despite GOP efforts, climate bill moves forward

It appears as if a plan to boycott legislative action on the Climate Bill has backfired for Senate Republicans. The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, also known as Senate Bill 1733, passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on November 5th, thanks to a procedural loophole employed by Committee Chairman, and bill co-sponsor, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California). Traditionally, minority party members of committees are required to be present for committee business to proceed.

While primarily focusing on climate change, emissions reductions and renewable energy, the bill also includes funding to promote and improve recycling, a provision of the bill currently being applauded by such industry associations as the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. Specifically, Section 154 of the current version of the bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a state recycling program that will govern the use of funds distributed to states through the legislation. States would then receive dedicated funds for county and municipal recycling programs, waste and recycling transport equipment, education and job training, funding for research and other state recycling initiatives.

Eleven Democrats voted for the bill — a majority of the 19 seats on the Committee — however SB 1733 is not out of the woods yet. Several groups, including the American Materials Manufacturing Alliance, the American Chemistry Council, the American Iron and Steel Institute and the Aluminum Association, have all expressed their concern over portions of the bill as presently written. Specifically, the groups would like to see more favorable emissions policies in the bill and steps to ensure the competitiveness of American-made products.