White House unveils plans to remove lead pipes, paint

The Biden administration released a new plan this week for removing the country’s lead water pipes (Source: “Biden administration releases plan for tackling lead pipes,” The Hill, Dec. 16). 

The plan, announced Thursday in a fact sheet, notes that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will “begin to develop” new regulations for lead and copper pipes. 

Exposure to lead can have negative health effects, especially in children, for whom it can cause brain and nervous system damage and slowed growth and development. 

The Biden administration’s plans would also distribute about $3 billion in funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law for lead service line replacement next year, and said it would be “calling on states to prioritize underserved communities.”

The EPA and Labor Department will also create regional technical assistance hubs that seek to “fast track” the removal process. Meanwhile, the Housing and Urban Development Department will distribute grants to remove lead paint and other hazards in low-income communities.