H.R. 7543 — Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act

This section directs the EPA Administrator to promulgate, not later than 60 days after the date of enactment, a final rule prohibiting the discharge of plastic pellets or other pre-production plastic materials (including into wastewater and other runoff)—(1) from facilities regulated under 40 CFR parts 414 (organic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers) or 463 (plastics molding and forming); and (2) from any other point source (as defined in CWA §502 (33 U.S.C. 1362)) that makes, uses, packages, or transports such materials. The rule must further require those prohibitions to be reflected in (A) all wastewater, stormwater, and other permits issued under CWA §402 (33 U.S.C. 1342) to such facilities and point sources, in addition to other applicable limits and standards; and (B) all standards of performance under CWA §312(p) (33 U.S.C. 1322(p)) applicable to such point sources. (As background, CWA §312(p) requires EPA to establish uniform national standards of performance for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, such as graywater, bilge water, and ballast water.)