WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan Energy and Commerce Committee leaders today sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy requesting an urgent briefing in the coming days on the drinking water in Flint, Michigan. In April 2014, the city of Flint switched from water provided by the Detroit water system to water treated by Flint and sourced from the Flint River. Several reports have suggested that the Flint River water may contain contaminants in the drinking water that could cause liver, kidney or central nervous system problems and increased risk of cancer.
The committee leaders write, “It is our understanding that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a Safe Drinking Water Task Force to provide assistance to Flint and has announced plans to audit Michigan’s Drinking Water Program. We urgently request a briefing on these matters and on EPA’s anticipated role as the situation in Flint continues to unfold."
The letter was signed by:
• Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ); and
• Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) and Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY); and
• Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO); and
• Health Subcommittee Chairman Joseph Pitts (R-PA) and Ranking Member Gene Green (D-TX).
