On January 24, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Milwaukee to talk about the Biden-Harris Administration action plan to replace harmful lead pipes across our country. Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action plan, local governments will get the necessary funds needed to remove and replace lead pipes that can carry contaminated water harmful to adults and children.
“We are honored to welcome Vice President Harris to Milwaukee and to the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/ BIG STEP to meet with union workers and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to discuss the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, a historic undertaking to improve water quality and deliver clean, safe drinking water to Wisconsin families," said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. "Nowhere in the United States should drinking from the tap be a health hazard, yet it is estimated that Wisconsin has over 170,000 lead service lines in need of replacing. Lead service lines can carry contaminated water that poisons and harms children and families. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden is tackling the issue of lead laterals head on by deploying the funds necessary to successfully replace lead service lines and to ensure the new service lines are American-made with high labor standards."
Vice President Harris toured WRTP/BIG STEP where she met with local union workers who are trained with the needed skills and knowledge necessary to safety and efficiently replace lead lateral service lines so families can have clean drinking water from the tap in their homes, schools, and businesses. The Vice President spoke with Rashawn Spivey, owner of Hero Plumbing and member of Plumbers Local 75, and Kylen Lenoir, member of Laborers Local 113. The Vice President was joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Gov. Tony Ever and local health and community leaders.
"This is a great workforce development opportunity for Wisconsin where we can train and put people to work in good union jobs that benefit public health in almost every neighborhood across our state," continued WI AFL-CIO President Bloomingdale. "The union men and women of the skilled trades stand ready to get to work to transform our water systems and ensure safe drinking water for all. Clean water is economic justice, racial justice, environmental justice."
The Biden-Harris Administration and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are delivering a win-win for job creation, economic growth, and doing the right thing for the health and safety of Wisconsin families by spearheading the movement to replace lead service lines and improve water quality across Wisconsin and across our country.
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