Vernon Ehlers: “back in 1974 I ran for public office on an environmental platform. I have been an environmentalist for many years, and I…”

“back in 1974 I ran for public office on an environmental platform. I have been an environmentalist for many years, and I have always tried to keep the environment in the forefront in discussions in this Congress. I am also, however, what you might call a common-sense environmentalist. I believe in environmental issues and environmental choices that make sense both for the environment and for the economy. And this bill is a sterling example of precisely what is involved in common-sense environmentalism. The chemical industry makes and uses a great many chemicals. Disposal of those chemicals often becomes disposal of hazardous waste, which is very costly, very toxic and dangerous to the environment. This bill will help develop green chemistry, chemistry that is in tune with the environment so that both the products and the by-products are safe, and we do not generate as much or any hazardous waste, and we do not have to worry about toxic waste polluting the groundwater.”