Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Committee Member Debbie Dingell (D-MI) released the following statement today in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement that it is delaying publication of the proposed revision to the Lead and Copper Rule:
“Yesterday’s announcement that the EPA will be delaying publication of the proposed revision to the Lead and Copper Rule by at least two months is deeply disappointing. These revisions are long overdue and needed to protect public health. Administrator Pruitt is hiding this delay behind the guise of a novel consultation process with the states, but the states need to see the proposed rule in order to provide relevant comments."
“States have had ample opportunity to provide input to the EPA in the more than 26 years since the Lead and Copper Rule was published. It is time for a formal, transparent and public comment period. The EPA previously pledged to publish a proposed rule to revise the Lead and Copper Rule this month, and therefore we call on Administrator Pruitt to publish the proposed rule immediately."
