text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Electronic Device Recycling Research 
  and Development Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress finds the following:
              (1) The volume of electronic devices in the United States 
          is substantial and will continue to grow. The Environmental 
          Protection Agency estimates that over 2 billion computers, 
          televisions, wireless devices, printers, gaming systems, and 
          other devices have been sold since 1980, generating 2 million 
          tons of unwanted electronic devices in 2005 alone.
              (2) Electronic devices can be recycled or refurbished to 
          recover and conserve valuable materials, such as gold, copper, 
          and platinum. However, according to the Environmental 
          Protection Agency, only 15 to 20 percent of electronic devices 
          discarded from households reach recyclers.
              (3) The electronic device recycling industry in the United 
          States is growing; however, challenges remain for the recycling 
          of electronic devices by households and other small generators. 
          Collection of such electronic devices is expensive, and 
          separation and proper recycling of some of the materials 
          recovered, like lead from cathode-ray tube televisions, is 
          costly.
              (4) The export of unwanted electronic devices to developing 
          countries also presents a serious challenge. The crude methods 
          of many of the recycling operations in these countries can 
          expose workers to harmful chemicals, jeopardizing their health 
          and polluting the environment.
              (5) Some of the challenges to increasing the recyclability 
          of electronic devices can be addressed by improving the 
          logistics and technology of the collection and recycling 
          process, designing electronic devices to avoid the use of 
          hazardous materials and to be more easily recycled, and 
          encouraging the use of recycled materials in more applications.
              (6) The public currently does not take full advantage of 
          existing electronic device recycling opportunities. Studying 
          factors that influence behavior and educating consumers about 
          responsible electronic device recycling could help communities 
          and private industry develop recycling programs that draw more 
          participation.
              (7) The development of tools and technologies to increase 
          the lifespan of electronic devices and to promote their safe 
          reuse would decrease the impact of the production of electronic 
          devices on the environment and likely increase the 
          recyclability of such devices.
              (8) Accurately assessing the environmental impacts of the 
          production of electronic devices and the recycling of such 
          devices is a complex task. Data, tools, and methods to better 
          quantify these impacts would help policymakers and others 
          determine the best end-of-life management options for 
          electronic devices.
  
  SEC. 3. ELECTRONIC DEVICE ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
                DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
  
      (a) In General.--The Administrator shall award multiyear grants to 
  consortia to conduct research to create innovative and practical 
  approaches to manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices 
  and, through the conduct of this research, to contribute to the 
  professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in 
  the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, 
  and recycling. The grants awarded under this section shall support 
  research to--
              (1) increase the efficiency of and improve electronic 
          device collection and recycling;
              (2) expand the uses and applications for materials 
          recovered from electronic devices;
              (3) develop and demonstrate environmentally friendly 
          alternatives to the use of hazardous and potentially hazardous 
          materials in electronic devices and the production of such 
          devices;
              (4) develop methods to identify, separate, and remove 
          hazardous and potentially hazardous materials from electronic 
          devices and to reuse, recycle, or dispose of such materials in 
          a safe manner;
              (5) reconsider product design and assembly to facilitate 
          and improve refurbishment, reuse, and recycling of electronic 
          devices, including an emphasis on design for recycling;
              (6) conduct lifecycle analyses of electronic devices, 
          including developing tools and methods to assess the 
          environmental impacts of the production, use, and end-of-life 
          management of electronic devices and electronic device 
          components;
              (7) develop product design, tools, and techniques to extend 
          the lifecycle of electronic devices, including methods to 
          promote their upgrade and safe reuse; and
              (8) identify the social, behavioral, and economic barriers 
          to recycling and reuse for electronic devices and develop 
          strategies to increase awareness, consumer acceptance, and the 
          practice of responsible recycling and reuse for such devices.
      (b) Merit Review; Competition.--Grants shall be awarded under this 
  section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
      (c) Applications.--A consortium shall submit an application for a 
  grant under this section to the Administrator at such time, in such 
  manner, and containing such information and assurances as the 
  Administrator may require. The application shall include a description 
  of--
              (1) the research project that will be undertaken by the 
          consortium and the contributions of each of the participating 
          entities, including the for-profit entity;
              (2) the applicability of the project to reduce impediments 
          to electronic device recycling in the electronic device design, 
          manufacturing, refurbishing, or recycling industries;
              (3) the potential for and feasibility of incorporating the 
          research results into industry practice; and
              (4) how the project will promote collaboration among 
          scientists and engineers from different disciplines, such as 
          electrical engineering, materials science, and social science.
      (d) Dissemination of Research Results.--Research results shall be 
  made publicly available through--
              (1) development of best practices or training materials for 
          use in the electronic device manufacturing, design, 
          refurbishing, or recycling industries;
              (2) dissemination at conferences affiliated with such 
          industries;
              (3) publication on the Environmental Protection Agency's 
          Web site;
              (4) demonstration projects; or
              (5) educational materials for the public produced in 
          conjunction with State governments, local governments, or 
          nonprofit organizations on problems and solutions related to 
          electronic device recycling and reuse.
      (e) Funding Contribution From For-Profit Member of Consortium.--The 
  for-profit entity participating in the consortium shall contribute at 
  least 10 percent of the total research project cost, either directly or 
  with in-kind contributions.
      (f) Protection of Proprietary Information.--The Administrator--
              (1) shall not disclose any proprietary information or trade 
          secrets provided by any person or entity pursuant to this 
          section;
              (2) shall ensure that, as a condition of receipt of a grant 
          under this section, each member of the consortium has in place 
          proper protections to maintain proprietary information or trade 
          secrets contributed by other members of the consortium; and
              (3) if any member of the consortium breaches the conditions 
          under paragraph (2) or discloses proprietary information or 
          trade secrets, may require the return of any funds received 
          under this section by such member.
      (g) Biennial Report.--Within 2 years after the date of enactment of 
  this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall 
  transmit a report to Congress that provides--
              (1) a list of the grants awarded under this section;
              (2) the entities participating in each consortium receiving 
          a grant;
              (3) a description of the research projects carried out in 
          whole or in part with funds made available under such a grant;
              (4) the results of such research projects; and
              (5) a description of the rate and success of the adoption 
          or integration of such research results into the manufacturing 
          processes, management practices, and products of the 
          electronics industry.
      (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:
              (1) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
              (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
              (3) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
  
  SEC. 4. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REPORT ON ELECTRONIC DEVICE 
                RECYCLING.
  
      (a) In General.--In order to better recognize gaps and 
  opportunities in the research and training programs established in this 
  Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the 
  National Academy of Sciences for a report, to be transmitted to 
  Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
  on--
              (1) opportunities for and barriers to--
                      (A) increasing the recyclability of electronic 
                  devices, specifically addressing--
                              (i) recycling or safe disposal of 
                          electronic devices and low value materials 
                          recovered from such devices;
                              (ii) designing electronic devices to 
                          facilitate reuse and recycling; and
                              (iii) the reuse of electronic devices; and
                      (B) making electronic devices safer and more 
                  environmentally friendly, specifically addressing 
                  reducing the use of hazardous materials and potentially 
                  hazardous materials in electronic devices;
              (2) the environmental and human health 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) any 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.
      (b) Recommendations.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
  identify gaps in the current research and training programs in 
  addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to 
  electronic device recycling, and the report shall recommend areas where 
  additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the 
  impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environment.
  
  SEC. 5. ENGINEERING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
  
      (a) Grant Program.--The Administrator, in consultation with the 
  Director of the National Science Foundation, shall 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 electrical, mechanical, industrial, 
          manufacturing, materials, and software engineers and other 
          students at the undergraduate and graduate level; and
              (2) to support the continuing education of professionals in 
          the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or 
          recycling industries.
      (b) Eligible Entities.--The term ``institution of higher 
  education'', as such term is used with respect to eligibility to 
  receive a grant under subsection (a)(2), includes any institution of 
  higher education under section 101(b) of the Higher Education Act of 
  1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(b)).
      (c) Outreach to Minority Serving Institutions.--The Administrator 
  shall conduct outreach to minority serving institutions for the 
  purposes of providing information on the grants available under this 
  section and how to apply for such grants.
      (d) Merit Review; Competition.--Grants shall be awarded under this 
  section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
      (e) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used 
  for activities that enhance the ability of an institution of higher 
  education to broaden the undergraduate and graduate-level engineering 
  curriculum 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. Activities may include--
              (1) developing and revising curriculum to include 
          multidisciplinary elements;
              (2) creating research and internship opportunities for 
          students through partnerships with industry, nonprofit 
          organizations, or government agencies;
              (3) creating and establishing certificate programs; and
              (4) developing curricula for short courses and continuing 
          education for professionals in the environmental design of 
          electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such 
          devices.
      (f) Application.--An institution of higher education seeking a 
  grant under this section shall submit an application to the 
  Administrator at such time, in such manner, and with such information 
  and assurances as the Administrator may require.
      (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:
              (1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
              (2) $5,150,000 for fiscal year 2011.
              (3) $5,304,000 for fiscal year 2012.
  
  SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS PHYSICAL 
                PROPERTY DATABASE.
  
      (a) In General.--The Director shall establish an initiative to 
  develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally 
  friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices.
      (b) Priorities.--The Director, working with the electronic device 
  design, manufacturing, or recycling industries, shall develop a 
  strategic plan to establish priorities and the physical property 
  characterization requirements for the database described in subsection 
  (a).
      (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:
              (1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
              (2) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
              (3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
  
  SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
  
      For the purposes of this Act:
              (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
          Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
              (2) Consortium.--The term ``consortium'' means a grant 
          applicant or recipient under section 3(a) that includes--
                      (A) at least one institution of higher education, 
                  nonprofit research institution, or government 
                  laboratory; and
                      (B) at least one for-profit entity, including a 
                  manufacturer, designer, refurbisher, or recycler of 
                  electronic devices or the components of such devices.
              (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
          the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
              (4) Electronic device.--The term ``electronic device'' may 
          include computers, computer monitors, televisions, laptops, 
          printers, wireless devices, copiers, fax machines, stereos, 
          video gaming systems, and the components of such devices.
              (5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
          ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
          term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
          U.S.C. 1001(a)).
              (6) Minority serving institution.--The term ``minority 
          serving institution'' means an institution that is an eligible 
          institution under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
          1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
  
              Passed the House of Representatives April 22, 2009.
  
              Attest:
  
                                              LORRAINE C. MILLER,
  
                                                                   Clerk.
target: 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.
feat_title: 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.