E-Waste Export Restrictions, Energy Star Major Q1 Environmental Lobbying Issues for CE Industry
E-waste and proposed changes to Energy Star were among the biggest environmental lobbying issues for electronics makers and trade associations in Q1, according to disclosure reports filed with Congress. With Congress taking up several environmental measures, the CEA has been “monitoring to see if they touch on products,” said Amy Dempster, senior manager of government affairs and environmental policy.
The CEA’s lobbying issues for the quarter included electronics recycling, Energy Star, materials restrictions and restrictions on the export of e-waste to developing countries. Among bills that the group lobbied on were the Green Gaming Act and the National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act. Seeking to influence e-waste exports, the group lobbied Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., a co-sponsor of HR-2595, a bill that seeks to restrict the export of electronics waste to developing countries. The bill stalled after facing opposition from environmental groups and recyclers.
With 23 states having enacted e-waste bills, the CEA is “looking for a national e-waste bill,” said Dempster. But the export control bill is narrowly focused, she said, and “we are looking for something that is a little bit more comprehensive.” The group is making progress toward resolving differences among members and an industry “e-waste framework” is nearing completion, she said. The CEA board recently approved industry policies on e-waste “product scope” and exports, she said, financing and take-back “obligation” models remaining outstanding issues. As for the chances of an e-waste bill passing in 2010, she said that being an “election year, members of Congress are a little bit more cautious about some of the things they advocate for and push for."
The Information Technology Industry Council lobbied Congress, the EPA and the Department of Commerce on climate change legislation, Energy Star and the EU WEEE Directive, its filing shows. Recyclers raised concerns on the Hill over the likely impact on “legitimate recycling” of HR-2595, a bill seeking to restrict the export of e-waste to developing countries, according to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries’ filing. Other electronics related environmental bills the scrap industry lobbied on included HR-1580, a measure that would provide federal funding for e-waste research. The bill passed the House, and a Senate version awaits action.
E-waste was an area of focus for IT and CE makers’ environmental lobbying in the quarter. Dell and Hewlett-Packard reported lobbying on the export restriction bill. Other areas of interest for HP were energy efficiency for data-center buildings, renewable fuels and Energy Star. Dell lobbied on clean energy bills and the Electronic Waste Research and Development Act. Apple’s lobbying issues included electronic waste, Energy Star, EPEAT and “green” technology. Sony’s environmental lobbying was directed at Congress, EPA and the Department of Energy over energy efficiency standards for consumer electronics and e-waste recycling. Samsung’s issues were “potential” federal action on e-waste recycling and electronics’ energy efficiency.
The e-waste export restriction bill and the measure to provide federal funding for e-waste research were environmental issues that Best Buy lobbied on. Wal-Mart sought to influence policies on clean energy, cap and trade, energy efficiency, smart grid, advanced meters and demand response and renewable energy on the Hill and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The company also lobbied Congress and federal agencies on its “domestic and international sustainability agenda,” including its China Sustainability Initiative.
Greenpeace lobbied Congress and the EPA for legislation to phase out “persistent toxic chemicals'” use in computers, cell phones, TVs and other electronic products and to “require financial responsibility” for manufacturers to take back discarded electronics. The Natural Resources Defense Council’s issues included energy efficiency, clean energy policies and solar energy deployment incentives.