WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change Republican Leader John Shimkus (R-IL) praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on their recent announcements: $2.7 billion for infrastructure projects and $40 million to reduce lead in drinking water.
“This is an important infrastructure announcement-the money directly benefits communities in need. It reflects a serious and targeted commitment from the EPA and Administrator Wheeler to protect surface waters and drinking water. We share that commitment; that’s why-last Congress-we worked with Republicans and Democrats to reauthorize the Safe Drinking Water Act, including a higher authorization in America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. This builds on the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. Congress has repeatedly invested in drinking water money and the EPA is putting those resources to good use; we look forward to reviewing the results of these important efforts.
“Building on that momentum, we were also pleased to see the resources the EPA released to combat lead in drinking water. This has long been a focus of the committee, and the WIIN Act made attacking lead contamination a specific focus. At a hearing last week, we discussed lead in drinking water extensively and we want to underscore our appreciation to the agency and Administrator Wheeler for advancing their proposal. Their leadership is noticed, and it will make a difference."
