Bill Overview
Title: Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
Description: This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a final rule that prohibits certain discharges of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic into waters of the United States.
Sponsors: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]
Target Audience
Population: People who rely on clean water and ecosystem services
Estimated Size: 330000000
- Plastic pellets are a significant source of microplastic pollution, which can spread throughout marine and freshwater environments.
- Microplastics can enter the food chain, affecting marine life and, subsequently, human populations that rely on these systems for food.
- The bill will impact individuals engaged in the plastic production industry as they may need to alter processes to comply with the new regulation.
- The general population benefits from cleaner water systems, resulting in better overall health and environmental conditions.
- Given that plastic pollution is a global issue, the impact of reduced microplastic pollution may extend beyond the U.S., benefiting global marine ecosystems.
Reasoning
- The policy targets pollution reduction which affects everyone who relies on water and its resources.
- People living near industrial zones may experience more direct benefit or disruption due to regulatory changes.
- Industries directly involved will have adaptation costs, affecting employees.
- Wider public will experience changes in wellness indirectly through environmental impact.
- While the benefits are widespread and subtle, the effect size might feel marginal initially.
Simulated Interviews
Plastic Factory Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will increase running costs initially as we upgrade our systems.
- In the long run, cleaner practices mean more efficient operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Marine Biologist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a critical policy for ocean health.
- Reductions in microplastics will have positive long-term impacts on biodiversity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Elementary School Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cleaner water benefits everyone, especially in educational contexts.
- It's a relief to know students can learn in healthier natural environments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Fisherman (Chesapeake Bay, MD)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cleaner waters mean better catches which are vital for my livelihood.
- I hope this policy will be enforced effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Environmental Activist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is what we’ve been fighting for!
- A monumental shift towards sustainable practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hoping this policy creates a safer marine environment for future studies.
- Positive step towards tackling pollution at its source.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Financial Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can open up new areas for green investment.
- Long term gains outweigh short-term adaptation costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Public Health Researcher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reduction in pollutants will have lasting benefits on public health.
- This aligns perfectly with ongoing efforts to improve water quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Chemical Engineer (Baton Rouge, LA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A necessary challenge for our industry, but one I embrace.
- Sustainable practices should be a goal regardless of regulation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Urban Planner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Clean waterways are essential for urban ecosystems.
- This policy will ensure long-term ecological sustainability in cities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 3: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Year 5: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $0, High: $10000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the policy depends on the industry's ability to adapt to new regulations and technology to prevent discharges.
- Coordination with state and local water management authorities will be crucial for seamless implementation.
- Long-term environmental benefits could lead to broader socioeconomic improvements beyond the direct targets of the bill.
- There will be substantial initial costs; however, these may decrease over time as systems for compliance become more efficient.