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20 EPA J. 32 (1994)
U.S. Ties: Diffusing Technologies Abroad - EPA Puts Overseas Problems Together with U.S. Vendors

handle is hein.journals/epajrnl20 and id is 81 raw text is: U.S. TIES: Diffusing Technologies Abroad EPA puts overseas problems together with U.S. vendors by Jamison Koehler and Stephen Lingle echnology transfer programs in the United States have tradition- ally concentrated on the supply side of the market for environmental technologies. Using a procedure often referred to as technology push, these programs first identify a promising technology, then attempt to place it with a user who needs it. Conversely, U.S. development assistance programs abroad have tended to focus on the user's environmental problems and the consequent demand for environmental technologies and expertise-in other words, market pull. They have not, as a matter of course, tried to match an identified environmental problem overseas with the vendor of a technology or service in the United States. Designed to enlist the private sector on behalf of the global environment, U.S. Technology for International Environ- mental Solutions (U.S. TIES) brings together the supply and demand sides of environmental technology in a way EPA has never done before. Launched in 1994, with funding of more than $11 million in its first year, this EPA-led technology diffusion program serves as the primary international component of the President's Environmental Tech- nology Initiative. U.S. TIES projects help strengthen environmental legislation and institu- tions worldwide. By focusing on the development of environmental assess- ment, monitoring, and human-resource capabilities, the programs help countries (Koehler is Acting Director of the International Issues Division of EPA's Office of International Activities. Lingle is Deputy Director of the Office of Environmental Engineering and Technology, which is part of the Agency's Office of Research and Development.) to deal with their environmental prob- lems while creating the demand for U.S. environmental technologies and expertise. U.S. TIES projects assist developing countries in identifying and mitigating specific environmental problems, with a particular emphasis on the assessment of various technology, supplier, and financing options. Funding in 1994 includes a grant to the U.S. Environmen- tal Training Institute (see box on page 12) for training private and public sector officials in developing countries concern- ing U.S. environmental technologies and management techniques. Another project will develop environmental reference materials for U.S. commercial personnel in the field. U.S. suppliers need information on international environmental markets, regulations, and needs. Foreign officials can benefit from credible information on the performance and cost of U.S. tech- nologies to meet these needs. The 1994 program plan includes projects in both areas. One project, for example, will combine international workshops with the publication of technology mono- graphs and handbooks to highlight U.S. technologies and services worldwide. U.S. TIES demonstrates the specific performance capabilities of selected U.S. technologies under real-time, country- specific settings. Coupled with technical assistance, training, and other U.S. TIES programs, these demonstrations encour- age the acceptance and use of U.S. technologies on a broader basis. Fiscal year 1994 projects include the demon- stration of drinking water technologies in Mexico (see box) and Nepal, wastewa- ter collection and treatment systems in the Middle East, and air-pollution control technologies in Russia and the Ukraine. EPA will work with other countries and with nonprofit groups in identifying opportunities for demonstra- tion and with other agencies, such as the Agency for International Development and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, in conducting the demonstra- tions. Consistent with the Administrator's desire to redefine EPA's relationship with the business community, U.S. TIES is studying the feasibility of an environ- mental technology cooperation center to facilitate the interaction between govern- ment and the private sector. EPA clearly recognizes the important role the U.S. private sector can play in solving environmental problems overseas. U.S. business and industry possess un- equalled environmental resources and expertise, and many of the technologies most relevant to the needs of developing countries can only be obtained through commercial channels. Environmental protection can benefit from business-to- business cooperation and the efficient functioning of international markets for environmental technologies and expertise. At the same time, EPA's ability to fulfill its mission requires the Agency to preserve its credibility and reputation for objectivity. The delegation of broad powers to EPA is predicated on Congres- sional and public trust in EPA's integrity and its ability to make honest, credible, and independent technical judgements. This objectivity and independence of judgement imply certain boundaries on EPA's working relationships with the private sector. A primary purpose of an environmen- tal technology cooperation center would be to serve as an intermediary between EPA and the private sector in conducting technical assistance, technology demon- strations, and other U.S. TIES activities. EPA JOURNAL

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