TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>]

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS

The Defense Authorization bill (at least the House version) contains a 
Defense Department-proposed provision that should help close a serious 
gap in the development and utilization of innovative environmental 
technologies. Under Section 346, the Department will be able to fund 
partnerships "with one or more private sector entities to demonstrate 
and validate innovative environmental technologies." Though the 
department has the authority to use or evaluate innovative 
technologies, it does not have the ability to fund demonstrations. This 
section would provide such assistance, for a period of up to five 
years, "only if the Secretary [of Defense] determines that the 
technology has a clear potential to be of significant value to the 
Department of Defense in carrying out its environmental activities." 
Note that this applies to all environmental projects, not just cleanup.

The legislation also contains a reporting requirement, a three-year 
sunset provision, and a requirement that Defense coordinate with EPA 
"in any verification sponsored by the Department of technologies 
demonstrated and validated by a partnership entered into under this section.

Lenny Siegel