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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2006

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Hema Sareen Mohan (650) 688-6384

STATE TO HOLD HEARING IN LOS ALTOS HILLS ON CHEMICAL POLICY IN CALIFORNIA


WHAT:
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee will hold a hearing in Los Altos Hills to discuss the challenges and opportunities for California’s businesses to design, manufacture, and use alternatives to hazardous materials that are safer for the public’s health and the environment.  Panelists will discuss, for example, how companies can produce non-toxic consumer products ranging from toys to the carpet in your home. 

This is a follow up to a hearing that the Committee held in June to discuss the findings in a landmark report by the University of California’s California Policy Research Center entitled “Green Chemistry in California:  A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation.”  That report revealed that on any given day, the United States produces or imports 42 billon pounds of chemicals—chemicals that may cause problems for human health and the environment. 

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 3, 1:30 – 3:30 pm

WHERE:
Los Altos Hills Town Hall
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills
       
PARTICIPANTS:

  • State Senator Joe Simitian, Committee Chair
  • Michael P. Wilson, Assistant Research Scientist, Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Berkeley, will discuss what his report, “Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation,” concluded about green chemistry in California.
  • Mike Wallace, Vice President, North American Operations of Trucost, will discuss the methods for evaluating green chemistry/corporate performance.
  • Rachelle R. Wenger, Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy for Catholic Healthcare West will discuss the information needs for businesses regarding green chemistry.
  • Elizabeth Whalen, Manager of Brand Strategy and Development, Columbia Forest Products, will discuss some of the challenges for marketing green chemistry products.
  • Greg Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Green Harvest Technology Ventures, will discuss what various businesses are doing to initiate green chemistry practices and green design.
  • John H. Burbank, Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer, Passport Capital LLC, will explore some of the financial considerations of promoting green chemistry.
  • Sheila Davis, Executive Director, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, will give a community perspective on evaluating green chemistry.

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