Smart Grid Emerges As Lobbying Issue for Many CE, IT Companies
E-waste and energy were dominant environmental lobbying issues on Capitol Hill for CE and IT companies in Q3, according to lobbying reports filed with Congress. An increasing number of technology companies are turning attention to smart grid issues, the reports show. Getting “sensible” energy efficiency and e-waste policies will remain CEA’s priorities in Congress and federal agencies, said Walter Alcorn, CEA vice president of environmental affairs.
CEA lobbied on several energy and e-waste related bills, including HR-6252, which would restrict e-waste exports to developing countries, the Green Gaming Act of 2009, the National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act (S-3059) and the Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act (S-1397). The main sponsors of HR-6252 are Democrats, said Alcorn. And although the bill has a Republican co-sponsor, it’s uncertain whether the measure will find traction next year, he said. It doesn’t seem likely the bill will get a hearing in the lame-duck session, he said. Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, who introduced the bill, had said he would try to “at least get a hearing” this year.
The Information Technology Industry Council’s lobbying activities for the quarter included clean energy, Energy Star and the EU’s WEEE Directive. The e-waste export restriction bill and the Electronic Waste Research and Development Act were among CTIA’s environmental lobbying concerns. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries lobbied lawmakers on the effects the e-waste export control bill would have on “legitimate recycling of electronic devices.” It also brought up the “inappropriate application” of the Basel Convention and OECD Waste Agreement to “non-hazardous, specification grade commodities manufactured from scrap/recyclable materials,” ISRI’s filing shows.
Google, Sony, Verizon and Panasonic were among the companies that lobbied on smart grid issues. Sony’s other environmental lobbying subjects were energy efficiency standards for consumer electronics and e-waste recycling. Google also lobbied on renewable energy policies and consumer energy information issues, its filing shows. Panasonic’s lobbying issues included the Appliance Standards Improvement Act (S-598), EPA’s top-tier Super Star program, carbon offsets, greenhouse gas emission standards, e-waste recycling and FTC’s EnergyGuide labeling and Green Guides changes. Samsung sought to influence policy on e-waste exports, EPA’s electronics recycling certification and Energy Star.
Energy efficiency for data center buildings, renewable fuels, Energy Star and e-waste export restriction measures were among HP’s environmental lobbying priorities. Dell focused on e-waste export measures and federal funding for research into electronic waste issues. Best Buy’s lobbying issues included the Electric Vehicle Deployment Act, American Clean Energy and Security Act and the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act.
Greenpeace lobbied in favor of legislation to phase out persistent toxic chemicals used in computers, cellphones, TVs and other electronic products and to hold manufacturers financially responsible for taking back and recycling used products. Climate change and energy legislation, energy efficiency finance and clean energy deployment were among lobbying issues for the Natural Resources Defense Council.