United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Resources
Management
(3404)
March/April 1996
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATE
220N95019
From the Office of International Activities
EPA's U.S. TIES Program; 1994 Highlights
U.S. Technology forlntemational Environmental Solutions
(U.S. TIES) is an innovative EPA program designed to
promote the application of U.S. technology in solving
environmental problems overseas. Funded through the
President's Environmental Technology Initiative at $11
million in Fiscal Year (FY) 1994, U.S. TIES is managed
jointly by the EPA Office of International Activities and
Office of Research and Development. Consistent with
Administrator Carol Browner's desire to forgs a "partner-
ship" with the business community, U.S. TIES enlists the
expertise, creativity, and resources of the private sector by
matching,an identified environmental problem overseas
with the vendor of a paiticulartechnology orservice in tho
United States. In this manner, the program integrates two
critical goals: environmental protection and jobs for Ameri-
can citizens. Specific program elements include: environ-
mental policy and regulatory development, technical assis-
tance and training, information exchange, and foreign
demonstrations of U.S. technology. Below are examples
of FY 1994 projects.
Overseas Demonstrations of U.S. Technologies
Several technology demonstrations, begun with FY 1984
funding, bring U.S. technologies to bearin solving pressing
environmental problems in othercountries. These projects
include a drinking water project in Mexico and Ecuador, a
wastewater collection and treatment project in the Middle
East, and air pollution control projects in Poland, Russia,
and the Ukraine. These demonstrations illustrate the perfor-
mance capabilities of U.S. technologies in real-time, coun-
try-specific settings and, as such, encourage greater use
of U.S. technologies overseas.
For example, Mexico, like many countries, has a problem
ensuring the safety of its drinking water supply. Such
problems can lead to outbreaks of diarrhea, cholera, and
otherwater-bome intestinal diseases that endangerhuman
health in that country (including regions bordering the
United States). The U.S. environmental industry is a
leading competitor in drinking water treatment technolo-
gies, including the small community systems of particular
interest to Mexico.
Under the Mexico drinking water demonstration project
begun in FY 1994, EPA is working wit3i4fc@ U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, American vendors an0 universities, and
Mexican officials to demonstrate the performance! of low-
cost, reliable, and easy-to^ operate package plants for three
small Mexican communities. The demonstrations will
include technical and financial assistance in selecting
sites, coHeoting and evaluating data, performing fieid tests,
disseminating results, and, generally, helping communi-
ties find sn appropriate solution farther needs
Training fer Foreign Officials
The lack of trained environmental professional has been a
particular pro biernfardeveloping countries seekingtodeal
with pressing ewsronmenta! problems. FY 3 9£4 funds are
being used to enhance the capabilities of the proven and
highly effective U.S. Environmental Training Institute (USED)
in targeting priority areas. Launched by EPA three years
ago, USETI is a joint effort between the U.S. Government
and the environmental industry. It uses U.S. private sector
facilities to train developing country personnel from boththe
public and private sectors in environmental management.
Though based in Washington, USETI has a resident pres-
ence in Mexico and conducts 60 percent iğf iff training
courses in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
International Dissemination of Information on U.S.
Technologies
A number of projects begun in FY 1994 are devoted to
disseminating information on american environmental man-
agement techniques and technologies. Specific projects
include technical conferences, seminars and workshops
on hazardous wastİ minimization and control in Mexico
and Brazil; low-cost wastewater collection, treatment, and
reuse for small communities in the Middle East; and the
remediation of manufactured gas plants. Another project is
devoted to the generation of technology-specific mono-
graphs and otharinformsfiora materials.
International Efwironrnsrctal Market and Needs
Another project begun in FY 1994 is devoted to a survey of
environmental problems in key countries as well as accom-
panying market opportunities.
INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point
3 DAYS ONLY
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The key countries include Mexico, China, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Korea, Chile, Argentina, Poland, and the Czech
Republic. A primary objective isto ensure that the resulting
information is not only relevant, but can also be easily
updated and accessed.
International Technology Cooperation Center
EPA is studying the feasibility of an international environ-
mental technology cooperation center to be based in the
U.S. The centerwould serve asan intermediary between
the public and private sectors in carrying out international
technical assistance, technology demonstrations, infor-
mation exchange, and other U.S. TIES activities. Carried
out by Argonne National Laboratory, the study will assess
the need for such a center; develop options related to
mandate, functions, funding, etc.; and, based on the option
chosen by EPA, serve as the blueprint for establishing the
center on a pilot basis in 1995.
Characterization of U.S. Environmental Technology
Industry
This project involves collecting and analyzing data on the
U.S. environmental industry to identify segments of the
industry that possess the greatest potential for export
development and economic growth. The project will help
EPA generate a composite baseline statistical sketch of
the environmental industry and assess trends in the
industry. Better understanding of the U.S. environmental
industry will help EPA and other agencies capitalize on
private sector initiatives and encourage ones which may
need Government assistance. It will also foster a better
understanding of the barriers affecting innovation and the
measures needed to overcome them.
Dissemination of Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficient Technologies
FY1994 funding includes a granttothe International Fund
for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (IFREE). This pro-
gram funds renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
in the developing world, and requires that a significant
portion of these projects include U.S. goods and services.
Forfurther information contact Mark Kasman (OIA) at (202)
260-0424.
NEW BOOKS
The following titles may be checked out from the Interna-
tional Collection at the Headquarters Library:
Climate Change: The IPCC Impacts Assessments.
Tegart, W.J. McG., G.W. Sheldon, and D.C. Griffiths,
Editors. Canberra, Australia: Australian Govt. Pub.
Service. 1990. INTLQC981.8.C5.C51581990.
Electricity Information. International Energy Agency.
Paris: The Agency. 1992. INTL HD9685.A1 .E44.
Energy Efficiency Technologies for Central and
Eastern Europe. Office of Technology Assessment, U.S.
Congress. Washington, DC: The Office. 1993.
INTL TJ163.4.E85 .£52 1993.
Environment of Oil. Gilbert, Richard J., Editor. Boston:
Kluwer Academic. 1993. INTL TD195.P4.E521993.
Environmental Business Management: An
Introduction. Klaus, North. Geneva: International Labour
Office. 1992. INTL HD38.N6551992.
Environmental Liabilities and Regulations in Europe.
Brealey, Mark, Editor. Hague, Netherlands: International
Business Publishing Ltd. 1993. INTL KJC1690.E581993.
Forest Trees. Committee on Managing Global Genetic
Resources: Agricultural Imperatives. Washington, DC:
National Academy Press. 1992. INTL SD399.7.F671991.
Institutional Options for the Provision of Infrastruc-
ture. Kessides, Christine. Washington.DC: World Bank.
1993. INTLHC79.C3.K451993.
NEEM: A Tree for Solving Global Problems. Board on
Science and Technology for International Development,
National Research Council. Washington, DC: National
Academy Press. 1992. INTL SB317.N43.N44 1992.
Non-Governmental Organizations and Natural
Resources Management: An Assessment of Eighteen
African Countries: Executive Summary. Brown, Michael.
Washington.DC: PVO-NGO/NRMS Project. 1993.
INTL HC92.Z65.A351993.
UNEP
INFOTERRA STAFF
HeadLibrarian:
Vacant
ReferenceLibrarians:
KerithMcFadden
Felicity Hajjar
JiHMottorn
Reference Desk
(202)260-3638
(202)260-3638
(202)260-5927
(202)260-9357
(202)260-5917
I^H)TJERrUEB Librarian:
LaraWiggert (202)260-9357
Lfcraiy Technician: Mardicia Greene
INFOTERRA is contactor operated and
managed by the Office of Information Resources
Management (OIRM), Information Management
and Services Division (ISMD), Information
Sharing Branch.
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