H.R. 2051 would direct the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish an interagency entity—with representation from at least nine federal agencies—to coordinate federal programs and activities in sustainable chemistry. The bill would require the entity to consult with stakeholders, develop metrics to assess sustainable chemistry, and report to the Congress on related initiatives and priorities. Participating agencies also would be required to incorporate sustainable chemistry into existing programs for research and development, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, and education and training.
Using information from the Government Accountability Office, CBO expects that many agencies are already conducting activities similar to those required under the bill. On that basis, and using information from OSTP and several of the affected agencies, CBO estimates that each of the nine agencies and OSTP would require, on average, two additional employees at an average annual cost of $150,000 each to manage and participate in the interagency entity. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $2 million in 2020 and $14 million over the 2020-2024 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
