The case for an Environmental Technology Act

The National Environmental Technology Act, which came close to enactment during the last session of Congress, is designed to protect the environment and create jobs. It does not favor the environment at the expense of the economy, or vice versa. Instead, the bill embodies the concept that environmental progress and economic progress will be mutually reinforcing goals. Environmental technology means the broad application of science to the entire production process. It means new ways to make products that waste less, new products that run cleaner. It means pollution prevention. It means life-cycle planning. It means, in short, a new way of thinking. Environmental technology makes good economic sense. Policies that help American companies become the unchallenged leaders in environmental technology must be developed. The National Environmental Technology Act is designed to take a major step in this direction.