Web site links EPA, private industry - Tech Talk - National Technology Transfer Center assists business people with federal program information

Black Issues in Higher Education, July 3, 2003 by Ronald Roach

WHEELING, W.VA.

Businesses in the United States can gain access to more than $500 million in annual Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Research & Development through a new Web site. The site, <www.nttc.edu/etprogram>, offers information on technology and partnership opportunities with the EPA.

The site is a small portion of the Environmental Technologies Program, a partnership between the EPA and the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC). The site, designed and maintained by the NTTC, was launched May 6.

"This program and Web presence links U.S. companies with EPA capabilities, providing benefits to U.S. companies and maximizing EPA resources," says Joseph Allen, president of the National Technology Transfer Center.

Located on the campus of Wheeling Jesuit University, the NTTC is a full-service technology management center, providing access to federal technology information, technology commercialization training, technology assessment, technology marketing, assistance in finding strategic partners, and electronic business development services (see Black Issues, Feb. 13).

Through the Environmental Technologies Program, the NTTC helps U.S. private industry identify EPA research, technologies and capabilities that have market, license or collaborative development potential. EPA provides leadership in the nation's environmental research, education and assessment efforts.

A key feature of the site is the Knowledge Portal that serves as the gateway to understanding the technology transfer and commercialization processes required for successful private sector-EPA partnerships, according to Mike Camden, manager of the Environmental Technologies Program. Camden says the EPA works to develop the latest environmental technologies through labs specializing in specific research areas.

"Our site showcases the Environmental Technologies Program, and links U.S. industry with the EPA to introduce important environmental advances to the public. This is an opportunity for industry to tap into more than $500 million in annual EPA R&D technologies, and capabilities to maximize their resources and leverage the EPA's technology investment," Camden says.

The NTTC/EPA partnership, in addition to the Web presence, identifies areas of opportunity within the EPA; offers best practices in technology transfer and partnering opportunities within the EPA; and assists companies, universities and associations through the EPA partnering process. Camden explains that private sector partners also gain access to EPA researchers and facilities; advancement of environmental research; licensing of new technologies; and leveraging of research dollars. Private sector partners also gain improved cost-effective technology and early stage R&D opportunities.