S. 3306 — Introduced in Senate

II 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3306 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 13, 2020Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Graham, Ms. Collins, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Coons, and Ms. Duckworth) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To establish a microplastics pilot program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Making Investments in Curbing the Ruinous Output of Plastics Act of 2020 or the MICRO Plastics Act of 2020. 2. Microplastics pilot program (a) Establishment The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this section as the Administrator) shall establish a pilot program (referred to in this section as the pilot program) to test the efficacy and cost effectiveness of tools, technologies, and techniques— (1) to remove microplastics from the environment; and (2) to prevent the release of microplastics into the environment. (b) Requirements In carrying out the pilot program, the Administrator shall include the testing of— (1) natural infrastructure; (2) green infrastructure (as defined in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)); and (3) mechanical removal systems (such as pumps) and filtration technologies. (c) Eligible pilot program locations In carrying out the pilot program, the Administrator may carry out projects located in— (1) stormwater systems; (2) wastewater treatment facilities; (3) drinking water systems; and (4) ports, harbors, inland waterways, estuaries, and marine environments. (d) Outreach In determining selection criteria and projects to carry out under the pilot program, the Administrator shall conduct outreach to— (1) the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee established under section 5(a) of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1954(a)); and (2) stakeholders and experts in the applicable field, as determined by the Administrator. (e) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing the outreach conducted under subsection (d). (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.