ACS celebrates passage of Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act

The American Chemical Society celebrates passage of important sustainable chemistry legislation as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Washington, January 1, 2021 — The American Chemical Society (ACS) today lauded the passage of the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act.  This legislation, sponsored by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Representative Dan Lipiniski (D-IL), is critical to the future of the chemical sciences.

The act creates a multi-agency taskforce to guide investment in sustainable chemistry research, as well as a new public private partnership program.  It will also authorize a broad review of existing chemistry programs to give Congress a better understanding of the government’s role in green and sustainable chemistry.  ACS has lead efforts to pass this legislation over several congresses with sustained grass roots member advocacy.

“ACS applauds the passage of the Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act as part of the NDAA,” noted Glenn S. Ruskin, Vice President, ACS External Affairs and Communications. “This legislation, representing over a decade of work, will increase innovation, coordination and investment in green and sustainable chemistry.  We appreciate the strong leadership of Senator Coons and Collins, as well as Representatives Moolenaar and Lipinski, to boost science and ensure a sustainable future.”

The importance of this issue is highlighted in the ACS statement “Sustainability and the Chemical Enterprise.” According to that statement, “Meeting human needs globally now and in the future will require new knowledge, novel technologies, and radical collaborations. The federal government can support the chemical enterprise’s role through: funding research, development, and demonstration; developing an informed workforce; and facilitating communication and collaboration between stakeholders and with the public.”

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people. The Society is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a specialist in scientific information solutions (including SciFinder® and STN®), its CAS division powers global research, discovery and innovation. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.