A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee today cleared a measure that would create an electronic system for U.S. EPA to track hazardous waste.

The Subcommittee on Environment and Economy passed the measure, S. 710 from Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), unanimously with one amendment from Chairman John Shimkus (R-Ill.) that addresses financing for the new system, which would allow EPA to track waste shipments electronically instead of through paper manifests.

Under the amendment, which passed unanimously by voice vote, the system would be paid for using discretionary funding rather than mandatory funding. The cost of the system would be offset by user fees, a proposal supported by industry leaders and the Obama administration.

Making the system a part of the appropriations process would give Congress more oversight, Shimkus said.

The amendment would also provide $2 million for the startup of the system during fiscal 2013 through 2015. Those costs would also be offset by user fees.

The bill now moves to the full committee. While a date for that markup has not been set, lawmakers previously indicated they wanted to move forward quickly with the measure.

The Senate unanimously passed the measure last year, and House Democrats requested a hearing on the legislation earlier this year. The legislation has been proposed to save industry and taxpayer dollars as well as streamline processes on the federal level.

According to EPA, the current paper system generates 2 million to 5 million forms annually, the cost of which exceeds $200 million. By switching to an electronic system, users and state agencies would save more than $75 million.

"In the electronic age, the burdens and inefficiencies created by the existing system for both government and the private sector are real and must be addressed," Shimkus said.