Summer Lee to Host Vice President Harris, EPA Administrator Regan to Announce Funding to Remove Lead Pipes, Improve Stormwater Infrastructure Nationwide

For Tuesday 2/20 – Harris Visit @ 10 AM 

Press RSVP here 

Summer Lee to Host Vice President Harris, EPA Administrator Regan to Announce Funding to Remove Lead Pipes, Improve Stormwater Infrastructure Nationwide

(Pittsburgh, PA) – On Tuesday, February 20th from 10 AM – 2 PM, Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) will host Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan in the district to discuss an incoming $5.8 billion as for states, Tribes, and territories–including $200 million in Pennsylvania–to invest in clean water projects that include replacing lead pipes, improving stormwater infrastructure to tackle flooding, and remove contaminants. This investment will be a part of the broader $50 billion under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for clean water, but not part of the $15 billion the law set aside for lead pipe replacement. To date, Pennsylvania has received approximately $659 million for clean water infrastructure. Vice President Harris will be arriving at 11:50 AM at Pittsburgh International Airport, less than a week after the Rep. Lee worked with the Biden Administration to secure a $5.3 million grant to build improvements to the airport. 

Details on stop 1:

• What: Roundtable to call for the need for more federal and state funding for increased service for public transit in Pittsburgh with other electeds and Pittsburghers for Public Transit
• When: Tuesday, Feb 20, 9:55-10:30 AM
• Where: Pentecostal Temple Church, 6300 East Liberty Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15206
• Who: Congresswoman Summer Lee, , Sara Innamorato (County Executive), Laura Chu Wiens (ED for Pittsburghers for Public Transit), Bonnie Fan (Research Committee Chair, Pittsburghers for Public Transit) City of Pittsburgh Chief Operating Officer Lisa Frank. Pgh City Councilwoman Barb Warwick, County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam, PA State Senator Lindsey Williams, PA State Rep. Nick Pisciottano

Details on Stop 2:

• What: Pittsburgh international airport Tarmac visit with VP Harris 
• When: 11:50 AM 
• Where: PIT Tarmac
• Who: Summer Lee, VP Harris
• Background: $5.3 million airport modernization grant and push for more  

Details on Stop 3: 

• What: Press conference at lead pipe replacement site with VP Harris and EPA Administrator Regan marking the new $75M investment for clean drinking water in PA  
• When: 12:45 PM
• Who: Harris / Administrator Regan / regional administrator Adam Ortiz, Sen Fetterman, Rep. Deluzio
• Where: Kingsley Center, Larimer (6435 Frankstown Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)
• Background: national investment is $5.8 billion national announcement (including over $99 M in clean water and $75 M in drinking water funding for PA). See dt 

Background: 

• EPA Clean Water Funding Announcement
  • The Admin will announce $75 M in drinking water funding for PA including replacing lead pipes, improving storm water infrastructure to tackle flooding, and removing contaminants. This is part of $5.8 billion nationwide.  ~50%  can support the removal of lead pipes. This funding is part of the broader $50B+ under IIJA for clean water, but not part of the dedicated $15B IIJA program dedicated to lead pipe replacement. 
  • PA will receive ~$200M of this $5.8B.

• Clean Water in Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh
  • According to EPA, PA has ~700K lead service lines still in use, the 4^th-highest total of any state; ~7.5% of all service lines in PA are lead-based.
  • In total, PA has received ~$659M in IIJA funding for clean water infrastructure.
  • In Jan. 2024, PA Gov. Josh Shapiro announced $194.3M for 28 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and anti-contamination projects across 20 counties in the state. That funding includes money from IIJA. 
  • In Pittsburgh, after a coalition of labor, faith, and environmental groups took legal action in 2020, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) agreed to remove all lead pipes by 2026. They are currently more than halfway to achieving that goal and remain on track.
    • PWSA estimates that ~6K public lead service lines remain in their system. PWSA has removed 1,746 public lead service lines and 1,605 private lead service lines since the VP’s visit in June of 2022.

• Rep. Lee’s Action on Lead Pipe Removal
  • Last year, Congresswoman Lee helped deliver a $52.4 million loan from the federal government to go toward Water Reliability Plan investments.  
  • Additionally, the House passed Congresswoman Summer Lee’s amendment highlighting the need to protect children’s health by increasing funding for testing and remediation of lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. This amendment was added to the FY2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
  • In January, Congresswoman Lee announced an additional $32.1 million low-interest loan and grant to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to continue the aggressive removal of lead service lines throughout Southwest PA’s drinking water system.