Vice President Kamala Harris today unveiled the Biden administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan to accelerate lead abatement efforts in the United States. During an event held at the headquarters of the AFL-CIO, Harris announced 15 new actions from ten agencies, including revamping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule for drinking water; establishing a new cabinet level partnership for lead remediation in schools and daycare centers; and announcing the establishment of new, joint EPA and U.S. Department of Labor regional technical assistance hubs to fast track lead service line removal projects in partnership with labor unions and local water agencies.

In response to the announcement, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

“There is no safe level of lead for children, and water systems around the country are dealing with lead contamination. This is especially true in communities of color and low-income communities.

“The efforts announced by the administration today—coupled with the much-needed investments in the Build Back Better Act, which awaits action in the Senate, and the important funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to replace lead service lines—will ramp up efforts to remove lead pipes and address other lead issues.

“Every person in this country deserves to have access to clean, safe water. The BlueGreen Alliance applauds these and other efforts undertaken by the Biden administration to increase racial justice by making communities safer and healthier and creating good union jobs while doing so.”