Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director
With the recent passage of excellent legislation in Illinois and New Jersey, one out of every four of the nation’s lead service lines (LSLs) is on a mandatory schedule to be fully replaced, with strict limits on partial replacement in the interim. These states now join Michigan in leading the way on replacing lead pipes– made all the more important because they have some of the highest numbers of LSLs in the country.
Both the Illinois and New Jersey laws[1] were the result of extensive negotiations between stakeholders and were passed with broad bipartisan support. We applaud the bill sponsors and the advocacy organizations that made it happen.
The most significant difference between the three state policies is their deadlines for utilities to fully replace the LSLs:
Our understanding from local stakeholders is that the schedule in the three states was largely constrained by the financial burden on the community. If Congress provides $45 billion in funding to fully replace the nation’s estimated 9 million LSLs as called for in the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan, the utilities, not just in these three states but across the country, could likely move much faster on replacement.
Below is a comparison of the key features of each state’s LSL replacement requirements.
Other states should step up to make similar commitments – particularly those with the most LSLs – to protect people from lead, create jobs, and reduce inequities.
[1] Each bill is awaiting Governor’s signature.
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