Trump Administration Delays Critical Lead Pipe Replacement Funds $50 million in funds are critical for replacing harmful lead pipes
Boston — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey,
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg
issued the following statements today on the Trump Administration’s delay of
critical funds for lead pipe replacement.
“The Trump Administration has delayed more than $50 million
in federal funding for lead service line replacement in Massachusetts,” said Governor
Maura Healey. “Funding local projects is vital to get lead out of our
drinking water. Massachusetts has some of the oldest housing stock and water
infrastructure in the nation, and lead service lines remain a threat to public
health, particularly for young children. These funds stimulate our economy by
creating construction jobs, replacing outdated infrastructure, and most
importantly ensuring that residents are drinking safe, clean water. We urge the
Trump Administration to cease this dangerous delay in critical funding.”
“Lead pipes pose serious health risks for Massachusetts
residents, especially children and those living in poorer communities,”
said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “Since day one, I
have advocated for federal funding to address this pressing public health
issue, and I will continue to speak out against policies that put the health
and safety of our residents at risk.”
“This thoughtless delay is putting the safety and wellbeing
of our most vulnerable residents at risk, especially our children,” said State
Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust.
“The federal funding we use addresses a critical health issue and allows us to
invest in vital water infrastructure projects that directly benefit the people
who need it most. Providing clean, lead-free drinking water should not be
controversial.”
In May 2024, the EPA announced the
2024 Lead Grant allocation amount of $50.1 million. Through the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law, the EPA allocates this funding to the Massachusetts Clean
Water Trust’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Massachusetts
Environmental Protection implements the program by selecting priority projects
and partnering with municipalities and other recipients to ensure these
critical infrastructure projects are completed as planned. These funds have
facilitated the removal of harmful lead from drinking water by supporting
public water systems for inventorying lead service lines and creating plans for
the replacement of those lines.
However, the Trump Administration is delaying allocation of
the 2024 Lead Grant to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust while it conducts a
review against President Trump’s Executive Orders. There is no timeline for
when the funds will be released, which will result in an unnecessary delay in
continuing the important work by public water suppliers to detect and remove
lead from their systems. In addition to the delay in the 2024 funding
allocation, Massachusetts is still awaiting the EPA’s revised formula for the
funding. Massachusetts officials have
been advocating for an improved formula in line with previous
allocations. If that formula changes, it could impact the amount of the 2025
and 2026 grants.
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