WASHINGTON — When Vice President Kamala Harris visited Pittsburgh in February, she touted the city’s progress in removing lead water lines as she announced $200 million in federal funding for Pennsylvania to spend on removing more pipes and other steps to ensure clean water.
The funds came from President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law, and the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced that the state would receive an additional $152.4 million to replace even more lead water lines. Only three states — Illinois, Florida, and Ohio —- are receiving a bigger allotment.
In all, $3 billion will be sent to states and territories, part of a $15 billion tranche of funds included in the infrastructure law with a goal of replacing all lead water pipes within a decade while creating jobs to do the work. Mr. Biden was scheduled to announce the funding during a trip Wednesday to Wilmington, N.C.
Lead can harm brain development in children, can build up in bones and teeth, damage kidneys and interfere with red blood cell production. Communities with low-income or minority residents suffer disproportionately from lead poisoning.
“The science has been clear for decades,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said on a conference call with reporters. “There is absolutely no safe level of lead exposure. ... It’s far past time to get the lead out once and for all.”
Mr. Regan accompanied Ms. Harris, area members of Congress and local officials to the Kingsley Association Community Center in Larimer on their February visit. The vice president also visited Pittsburgh in June 2022 to talk about replacing lead water lines.
White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi cited Pittsburgh’s progress on the call. He said the city was on track to finish replacing all of its lead lines by 2026.
Jonathan D. Salant: jsalant@post-gazette.com, @JDSalant
First Published: May 2, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: May 3, 2024, 4:46 p.m.
