Healey-Driscoll
Administration Receives $50 Million in Federal Funding to Remove Lead Service
Lines Across Massachusetts
BOSTON– Today, the Biden-Harris Administration awarded
more than $50 million in funding for Massachusetts cities and towns to help
identify and replace lead service lines and prevent exposure to lead in
drinking water. Following advocacy by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, federal
delegation, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and Treasurer Deborah
Goldberg, the federal funding announced today is an increase over the $33.7
million in lead service line funding allocated in fiscal year 2023 but presents
a gap between the identified funding needs in Massachusetts. The
Healey-Driscoll Administration will continue to work with federal, state, and
local agencies in order to fully fund the lead service line replacement
program.
“We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration's
willingness to engage with states on important environmental and public health
issues, particularly one with such widespread and acute impacts as lead in
drinking water,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re looking forward to
continued collaboration with federal partners to identify more funding avenues
to build on these investments so Massachusetts can continue its nation-leading
work to protect the environment and public health.”
“As a former mayor, I know how challenging it can be to
address these types of infrastructure challenges,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim
Driscoll. “Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, cities
and towns across Massachusetts will have significantly more resources to
continue plugging away at the necessary upgrades to protect the health of its
residents. Our Administration will continue to search for additional funding to
complete the job.”
In February, Governor Healey, Attorney General Campbell,
and Treasurer Goldberg submitted a letter
to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging him to reconsider the new grant
formula that had reduced lead service line replacement funding to Massachusetts
by more than $30 million. The letter identified Massachusetts’ unique needs for
lead remediation funding based on the high percentage of housing stock from
before 1940, when the use of lead in service lines was prevalent and emphasized
how the effects of this today cause disproportionate lead exposure in
communities of color. Massachusetts received $65.7 million in fiscal year 2022
but was only allocated $33.7 million for 2023 and future years of the program
under the EPA’s new methodology. Following advocacy from Massachusetts and
other states, the EPA allowed states a onetime opportunity to submit additional
data, resulting in Massachusetts’ boosted allotment of $50 million.
Massachusetts has leveraged federal Bipartisan
Infrastructure money to address lead service line issues, including commitments
since 2022 of more than $59 million for lead remediation projects. This funding
has supported needs assessments and action plans in 121 Massachusetts
communities and has financed $30 million in remediation projects.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Administrator
Regan have been leaders in making federal funding available to address harmful
drinking water contaminants, particularly lead, which has no safe level,” said Energy
and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As a state with some of
the oldest infrastructure in the country, this funding is desperately needed,
especially in our environmental justice communities. But we will continue seek
ways to fully fund local lead line replacement efforts.”
“Thank you to President Biden for your commitment to
removing harmful contaminants from our drinking water, and to Administrator
Regan for recognizing Massachusetts's demonstrated needs and effectiveness in
using federal dollars to remediate lead contamination in our water
infrastructure,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin
Palfrey. “We will continue to work closely with our Massachusetts congressional
delegation and federal partners to ensure the lead service line replacement
program has the funding it requires to address these critical needs.”
The funding awarded under President Biden’s $3 billion
Investing in America initiative will provide significant grants through the Massachusetts
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Program. Under the
Revised Lead and Copper Rule set to take effect in October, the EPA is also
requiring local public water systems to investigate the number of lead service
lines in their water distribution system and report those findings to the state
agency that oversees drinking water – in Massachusetts that is the Department
of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
“Keeping drinking water safe is core to the mission at
MassDEP,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “While we've been national
leaders in lead remediation, there is more work to be done. Our team is ready
to get these federal dollars into the hands of communities in need so that they
can continue the work of keeping drinking water clean and safe for all.”
More information on the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund Lead Service Line Program can be found on MassDEP’s
website.
“No matter where you live, everyone deserves clean
drinking water,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “This $50 million in funds from
the Biden-Harris administration is a much-needed investment to replace lead
pipes and keep Massachusetts families safe. I’ll continue working in close
partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to secure additional
federal resources we need.”
“Our Commonwealth has a high lead service line burden due
to the age of our housing stock, and we know lead exposure is an environmental
justice issue, as it disproportionately affects Black, Brown, and Indigenous
communities,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “Massachusetts is receiving $50
million in federal investment thanks to President Biden and the landmark
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed in Congress, but we know much more is
needed to identify and replace all remaining lead pipes across the Commonwealth
to ensure public health safety. Together with the Healey-Driscoll
administration, we will keep fighting to secure Massachusetts’ fair share from
the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations.”
"I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration
for responding to our advocacy and providing these funds, which will support
healthy and safe communities across the Commonwealth by allocating additional
funding to replace the lead pipes that contaminate our drinking water with the
urgency our residents deserve," said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.
“This is a critical investment from the Biden-Harris
Administration. These resources will provide increased access to safe drinking
water which is so necessary for positive health outcomes across our state,”
said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean
Water Trust. “We will continue to advocate for additional funding for this
program, as it is an essential need for the basic well-being of every
Massachusetts resident, particularly those who are most vulnerable.”
MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s
natural resources – air, water and land – to provide for the health, safety and
welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future
generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and
advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth; to
provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency
decisions that affect their lives; and to ensure a diverse workforce that reflects
the communities we serve.
