E&C Democratic Committee Leaders Urge EPA to Strengthen Lead and Copper Rule

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan today urging EPA to strengthen its Lead and Copper Rule to ensure it is protective of human health. Their letter comes as the rule – which sets the federal government's lead and copper water standards – is being reevaluated by the agency.

"Safe drinking water is a fundamental right, and every American should be able to trust the water coming out of their tap. However, too many communities across the nation have been, and continue to be, exposed to lead through their drinking water," the two Committee leaders wrote to Administrator Regan. "To that end, we urge you to expeditiously strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule and ensure it truly protects communities from lead in drinking water. Lead in drinking water is a national crisis that requires urgent attention to address preventable, adverse health impacts."

Pallone and Tonko explain that the current Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which was written by the Trump Administration, continue to allow a lead action level of 15 parts per billion despite clear scientific evidence that there is no safe level of lead exposure. The best way to protect public health and prevent toxic lead exposure, they write, is to reduce the action level and, ultimately, follow through on the Biden Administration's commitment to replace all lead water service lines within 10 years.

Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last year, which appropriated $15 billion that Pallone and Tonko fought to include in the final bill to help achieve exactly that.

"As we move towards realizing that goal, a strong regulatory framework is also essential to preventing lead exposure. Specifically, we urge you to expeditiously fulfill your commitment to strengthen the current, inadequate Lead and Copper Rule," they continued. "We commend the Administration for recognizing the deficiencies in the LCRR and its announcement to propose a new, strengthened rule, the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI must recognize that there is no safe level of lead, and expedite the replacement of all lead service lines regardless of a homeowner's ability to pay."

The full letter is available HERE.

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