Fourteen AGs Sent Comments Calling for Better Protections from Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 14 attorneys general in sending comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule to restrict lead and copper in drinking water. The AGs commended the proposed revisions, especially the requirement to replace all lead service lines within ten years. Still, they stressed the need for further improvements, particularly regarding the disparate impacts on underserved communities. The AGs expressed concerns about the lack of clear language prioritizing environmental justice communities and offered suggestions for strengthening the rule. They highlighted studies showing how communities of color and environmental justice communities were disproportionately affected by lead exposure due to inadequate infrastructure and investment.