Karen Thurman: “I am delighted to express my strong support for H.R. 2024, the Mercury-containing and Rechargeable Battery Management…”

“I am delighted to express my strong support for H.R. 2024, the Mercury-containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act. Today, we will take an important step toward making this earth a cleaner place. The battery bill will ensure that nickel-cadmium batteries get out of the waste stream and into the recycling stream. In my district, energizer power systems employ 1,400 people. In fact, our Alachua plant is one of only two facilities in the United States that produces nickel-cadmium batteries. We may be one of the only one's producing them, but you all use them. Nickel-cadmium batteries are used in power tools, appliances, cellular and cordless phones, and so many other every day products. Recognizing the danger the disposal of these batteries posed, 13 States, including Florida, took the initiative to label and recycle the batteries. Industry has done a terrific job in promoting the labeling and recycling programs, particularly through the creation of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation [RBRC] Manufacturers fund the recycling programs and the RBRC is charged with collecting and recycling the used batteries. The Federal Government isn't spending tax dollars to set up a new bureaucracy, industry is financing and administering the program itself. Actions like these are examples of the kind of good corporate citizenship we want to encourage.”