Today, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, and EPA Administrator Michael Regan for a tour of a west Youngstown neighborhood that’s expected to receive $1.6 million in federal funds to replace lead pipes this summer.
“We cannot expect to compete with the rest of the world when our kids are being poisoned by the water they drink at home and in their schools,” said Congressman Ryan. “With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re getting lead out of our pipes and making sure that every Ohioan has clean water and the opportunity to thrive in their communities, no matter their zip code. We must continue our work to ensure that every person in the Mahoning Valley, Ohio, and across this nation can achieve the American Dream.”
Rep. Ryan, Administrator Regan, Sen. Brown, and Mayor Brown met with residents as they tour the community.
“There are more than 600,000 lead service lines in Ohio today, and between 6-10 million nationwide,” said Administrator Regan. “Thanks to the leadership of Senator Brown, Congressman Ryan, and President Biden, Ohio will see more than $71 million to address pollution from lead pipes under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022 alone. I look forward to working with Ohio’s leaders to ensure these dollars get to communities that need it most, in a quick, effective, and equitable way.”
“Because of the work we did in the American Rescue Plan, residents in this neighborhood are going to finally have new, safe pipes. Families will have peace of mind that the water coming out of the faucet is safe for their children to drink, and more workers will have jobs doing the installation work,” said Sen. Brown. “And more projects like this are on their way because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan, all done by American workers using American-made materials.”
“The investment today in lead line replacement is truly needed to ensure that our future generation is healthy and strong,” said Mayor Brown. “This impact will affect families who may have underlying health issues. We must continue to thrive not survive while coming out of a global pandemic.”
This project will be funded by money from the federal American Rescue Plan and is expected to benefit more than 90 homes on the city’s west side. The bipartisan infrastructure law will also provide additional funds to strengthen drinking water infrastructure and replace lead pipes in Ohio and throughout the country.
Because of the Buy America provisions Rep. Ryan and Sen. Brown secured in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, lead pipe replacement projects funded by the infrastructure law will be done using American-made materials and support American jobs. The Buy America protections will ensure taxpayer dollars are used to buy and include American-made products for all federally funded infrastructure projects. The legislation will close loopholes and secure major investment in products made by American workers.
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