HR 7543
Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
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Bill overview
This bill aims to reduce plastic pellet pollution in U.S. waters by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create rules that limit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastics. The EPA will be tasked with prohibiting these discharges from various facilities involved in the production, packaging, and transportation of plastic pellets. These regulations will apply to both existing and new permits issued by the EPA and state programs.
Key provisions
- The EPA must issue a final rule prohibiting the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastics into U.S. waters.
- The rule will apply to facilities that manufacture, use, package, or transport plastic pellets.
- The regulations will be incorporated into existing wastewater and stormwater permits.
- The EPA will consider existing regulations (part 414 and 463 of Title 40 CFR) when establishing new limits.
- The rule will align with standards under section 312(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Who is affected
- Plastic polymer production facilities
- Plastic molding and forming facilities
- Businesses involved in the transport and packaging of plastic pellets
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- State environmental agencies
Notable changes
- This bill specifically targets plastic pellets, a common source of water pollution.
- It expands regulations beyond existing wastewater permits to include stormwater and other runoff.
Sponsors
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 7543
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate certain limitations with respect to pre-production plastic pellet pollution, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this section as the Administrator
) shall promulgate a final rule to ensure that—
the discharge of plastic pellets or other pre-production plastic materials (including discharge into wastewater and other runoff) from facilities regulated under part 414 or 463 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), is prohibited;
the discharge of plastic pellets or other pre-production plastic materials (including discharge into wastewater and other runoff) from a point source (as defined in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) that makes, uses, packages, or transports those plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials is prohibited; and
the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) are reflected in—
all wastewater, stormwater, and other permits issued by the Administrator and State-delegated programs under section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) to facilities and other point sources (as defined in section 502 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) that make, use, package, or transport plastic pellets or other pre-production plastic materials, as determined by the Administrator, in addition to other applicable limits and standards; and
all standards of performance promulgated under section 312(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1322(p)) that are applicable to point sources (as defined in section 502 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) that make, use, package, or transport plastic pellets or other pre-production plastic materials, as determined by the Administrator.