Latest News
Environmental Advocates NY Applaud Historic EPA Action to Eliminate Lead in Drinking Water
Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency finalized updates to the nation's lead in drinking water regulations, known as the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. In a historic step, EPA will require the vast majority of water utilities to replace 100% of the lead pipes in their distribution systems over 10 years, starting in 2027.
The following statement can be attributed to Rob Hayes, Senior Director of Clean Water with Environmental Advocates NY:
"We applaud the Biden administration's historic action to get the lead out of drinking water. Lead service lines have contaminated our drinking water for over a hundred years, poisoning generations of children. Today, EPA finally said enough is enough. Replacing 100% of the nation's lead service lines will protect public health, further environmental justice, and create thousands of good-paying, union jobs. The time has finally come to make lead service lines a thing of the past.
Here in New York, Governor Hochul has a huge role to play in making EPA's plan a reality. There are an estimated 500,000 lead service lines across the state, the 6th highest total in the nation. We urge Governor Hochul to include a generational investment in clean water in the upcoming state budget to fund the removal of these dangerous pipes. Wide, bipartisan majorities of New Yorkers have consistently voted for more action on clean water. By investing in lead pipe replacement, the Governor can demonstrate her commitment to protecting clean water for all New Yorkers."
Background on Lead Service Lines and New York:
Lead service lines have caused drinking water contamination across New York, from Newburgh to Troy to Syracuse. New York is receiving approximately $500 million from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to begin replacing New York's estimated 500,000 lead service lines, but this will cover only a fraction of the statewide need, estimated to be at least $2.5 billion.
Recently, Governor Hochul dedicated close to $90 million from the state's Clean Water Infrastructure Act to make lead service lines more affordable for communities across the state. But more state funding is needed to achieve 100% lead service line replacement as swiftly and equitably as possible. Over the last several years, many communities have applied for funding to get the lead out of drinking water but have not yet received an award because of currently limited funds.
###
How You Can Help Today
Sign Up To Receive Updates
Environmental Advocates NY Applaud Historic EPA Action to Eliminate Lead in Drinking Water
Forest Monitoring Service Experts Ask Gov. Hochul to Sign the TREES Act
14 Organizations Join Advocates and Business Leaders Supporting New York’s Tropical Forest Protection Bill
38 New York Lawmakers Call on Gov. Hochul to Position New York as Global Climate Leader by Signing the TREES Act
“The TREES Act will ensure that New Yorkers’ taxpayer dollars are not paying for the destruction of the Earth’s vital tropical rainforests.”
Global Citizen Festival Brought A+ List Music Acts to Central Park… and Generated 20,000+ Petition Signatures for TREES Act
Bill Still Waits for Hochul’s Signature
Climate Week Panel: Experts Discuss Benefits of TREES Act During Climate Week
Post Malone, Doja Cat and more to Headline Global Citizen Festival…and Governor Hochul Has Been Invited to Sign the TREES Act in Front of 60,000 Concertgoers
Hochul’s Signature Would Take New York One Step Closer To Meeting Climate Goals While Protecting Rainforests
Ahead of Amazon Rainforest Day, Environmental Advocates, Responsible Businesses, Faith Leaders, and Indigenous Communities Urge Governor Hochul To Sign the TREES Act
Groundbreaking Bill Would Make New York a Leader in Protecting Against Deforestation
MORE THAN 100 GROUPS URGE GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO SIGN THE NEW YORK TREES ACT
“This bill is a win-win for New York, for New York-based businesses, for the global climate and for human rights.”
City Limits: Will New York’s ‘TREES’ Bill Finally Become Law?
A bill that aims to stop companies that have contracts with the state government from contributing to tropical deforestation failed to become law last year. Will the governor veto it again?
154 Signatories from 28 Countries Call On Gov. Hochul to Protect Their Homes and Land By Signing the TREES Act
Ahead of World Rainforest Day (Saturday, June 22), 154 civil society and Indigenous Peoples organizations and individuals from across 28 impacted countries and territories in tropical forest regions are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign New York’s historic Tropical Rainforest Economic & Environmental Sustainability Act, or the TREES Act.