California Green Chemistry Initiative …

           California Green Chemistry
                    Initiative




TO:         Interested Parties

FROM:       Maureen Gorsen, Director
            Department of Toxic Substances Control

DATE:       June 18, 2007

SUBJECT:    CALIFORNIA GREEN CHEMISTRY INITIATIVE - LET THE CONVERSATION
            BEGIN!


The California Green Chemistry Initiative seeks your thoughts and involvement as
we begin to establish the blueprint for keeping California in the forefront of
protecting health and the environment in a robust economy.

Our time for this effort is very short. The creation of a viable list of options to
advance Green Chemistry must be submitted to Secretary Linda Adams by
January 2008. From that list proposed recommendations for a final policy are due
by July 1, 2008. We have a tremendous amount of work ahead and look forward to
working with you on this effort.

To facilitate the most creative and constructive public participation process, we
have entitled the Conversation with California. The Conversation with
California includes a wide array of opportunities for you to participate. I invite you
to join the Conversation with California and contribute to developing a
comprehensive chemical policy and long-term environmental protection for
California.

We hope you will join us at our first public stakeholder's meeting scheduled
for Wednesday, June 27th 1:30 p.m. ­ 3:30 p.m., Sierra Hearing Room,
Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. If you cannot attend, you will
be able to listen via web cast.
CALIFORNIA GREEN CHEMISTRY INITIATIVE - LET THE CONVERSATION BEGIN!
June 18, 2007
Page 2



An important part of the Conversation is a moderated Journal/Blog space that has
been set up to allow an open and transparent exchange of ideas. This Journal/Blog
space gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts and see what others think
about the four main Green Chemistry topics areas, which are:


     Cradle to Cradle: Through product design and industrial innovation,
     produce products that reduce the use of harmful chemicals, thus generating
     fewer emissions and less waste. How do you think California should move to
     a Cradle to Cradle framework?

     Green Chemistry: Consider public health and the environmental effects of
     chemicals during the process of designing products and processes. How do
     you think California should stimulate Green Chemistry?

     Toxics in Products by Design: Identify strategies to encourage
     manufacturers to take greater responsibility for the products they produce
     that contain toxic materials. How do you think California should address the
     issue of toxics in products by design?

     Toxics in Products by Accident: Develop information on approaches that
     encourage cleaner and less polluting industrial processes. How do you think
     California should address the issue of toxics in products by accident?

     Please visit and participate at:
     http://californiagreenchemistry.squarespace.com/welcome

  You can sign up to receive e-mail updates about the California Green Chemistry
  Initiative from DTSC's listserv.

  We always look forward to written comments. Please send your mail to:
    Green Chemistry Initiative
    Department of Toxic Substances Control
    P.O. Box 806
    Sacramento, CA 95812-0806

If you have any questions about the Conversation with California please send an
email to green.chemistry@dtsc.ca.gov.