FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
SUBJECT:
title
LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR: A.B. 1724 (STONE) WASHING MACHINES: MICROFIBER FILTRATION, A.B. 2787 (QUIRK) MICROPLASTICS IN PRODUCTS, AND A.B. 2771 (FRIEDMAN) COSMETIC PRODUCTS: SAFETY
end
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Letters of Support for:
A. A.B. 1724 (Stone) Washing Machines: Microfiber Filtration;
B. A.B. 2787 (Quirk) Microplastics in Products; and
C. A.B. 2771 (Friedman) Cosmetic Products: Safety.
body
BACKGROUND
A.B. 1724 would require that by the year 2024 all washing machines sold as new in California contain a microfiber filtration system. Microfibers and other forms of microplastics are incredibly difficult to remove from the wastewater stream. If not removed, these microplastics could eventually make their way through the treatment process and subsequently be discharged into the ocean or other bodies of water. As stewards of our natural resources, one of the goals of the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) is to prevent or reduce the amount of pollution entering our environment.
A.B. 2787 would ban the sale, distribution in commerce, or offering for promotional purposes designated products that contain intentionally added microplastics. This bill is an extension of existing law that bans personal care products that contain microbeads. A.B. 2787 would also make violators liable to a civil penalty that compounds daily. This enforcement mechanism will deter manufacturers and retailers from selling products that contain microplastics and will bring the State one step closer to a microplastic free environment.
A.B. 2771 would prohibit an entity from manufacturing, selling, delivering, holding, or offering for sale in commerce any cosmetic product that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A.B. 2771 is an extension of existing and proposed laws that seek to ban harmful chemicals and substances in personal care products, as well as prevent PFAS from entering our environment.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
PROBLEM
Without proper support of these bills, they could fail which would negatively affect OC San and our fellow wastewater agencies, along with the negative impact it could have on our infrastructure and possibly affecting our rate payers.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Staff drafted letters of support for A.B. 1724, A.B. 2787, and A.B. 2771.
TIMING CONCERNS
It is important that OC San takes a position on these bills as soon as possible to ensure that OC San’s positions are taken into consideration.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If we do not support these bills they could fail.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
N/A
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.com) with the complete agenda package:
• Letter of Support for A.B. 1724 (Stone) Washing Machines: Microfiber Filtration
• A.B. 1724 Bill Text
• Letter of Support for A.B. 2787 (Quirk) Microplastics in Products
• A.B. 2787 Bill Text
• Letter of Support for A.B. 2771 (Friedman) Cosmetic Products: Safety
• A.B. 2771 Bill Text