MILWAUKEE (CN) — Wisconsin will receive $43 million in additional federal funding to replace lead pipes in the state as part of his administration’s Investing in America agenda, President Joe Biden said in a visit to Milwaukee on Tuesday.
“We are the United States of America, for God’s sake, and there is no safe level of lead exposure, so the only way forward is to replace every single lead pipe in America,” Biden said to the crowd at the Milwaukee Public Works Headquarters.
The financing is also part of the president’s $2.6 billion plan to make drinking water upgrades and replace lead water pipes across the nation. The federal dollars will allow the City of Milwaukee to replace its remaining lead pipes in just 10 years, a significant pace shift from the previously projected 60 year timeline.
Biden also introduced a final U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule setting the goal for all lead pipes in the United States to be replaced within a decade, putting Milwaukee right on track with the national effort.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers joined the president in stressing how urgent the issue is in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
“We have replaced over 43,000 lead pipes in the state of Wisconsin but get this — we still have 150,000 more to go,” he said.
The EPA estimates that Wisconsin has a total of 341,0223 lead pipes in the ground, which would take over $700 million to tackle. Though the funding proposed is significant, it will only make a dent in what is needed to ensure safe drinking water across the Dairy State.
Biden added that “at least half” of federal funding for lead pipe replacement in Wisconsin will be directed toward disadvantaged communities.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, children of color and children from low income families are the most likely to have lead in their blood.
“I know this from experience — the worst thing for a parent is knowing that something bad is happening to your child, and families who have been exposed to lead in their water deserve a hell of a lot better than they are getting,” Biden said.
He also emphasized that nearly half of tribal lands lack clean water, adding “Folks, what Is the government for if it cannot protect public health?”
To meet the labor demands required to tackle this immense job, the president also announced new commitments to connect Wisconsin residents to job opportunities and training.
The Milwaukee Workforce Hub, launched by the administration earlier this year, will focus on expanding apprentice opportunities and investing in pre-apprenticeship programs.
In a nod to the crowd packed with people wearing “proud union member” t-shirts and safety vests, Biden said “The middle class built this country, and union workers built the middle class!”
While not at an official campaign event, Biden made sure to mention that Vice President Kamala Harris will continue to support union workers first for lead pipe replacement jobs if she becomes president in November.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, City Executive David Crowley and EPA administrator Michael Regan joined the president today, each taking a turn to thank him for his commitment to clean drinking water in Wisconsin and the nation.
“Hear me on this — a lead-free America is Joe Biden’s legacy,” Reagan said.
Lead exposure is not isolated to the water lines in Milwaukee. In addition to this announcement from President Biden, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced additional funding to address lead paint exposure to 32 states.
Wisconsin is expected to receive almost $13 million, with over $7 million for Milwaukee County alone.
The national approach to the president’s plan will include investment into water facilities and infrastructure that is resistant to extreme weather and flooding to ensure that those key elements of providing safe drinking water are operational even when the power grid goes down.
Though the focus was certainly on the president’s clean drinking water plan, he found time to throw a few jabs at his predecessor while lauding Harris’ leadership and commitment to the middle class and union labor.
“When the last guy was president, he didn’t build a damn thing,” Biden said.
The president’s visit to Wisconsin comes during a flurry of campaign events for Harris and former President Donald Trump in the runup to the November election. Though polls have Harris marginally ahead of Trump in Wisconsin, the swing state is still very much up for grabs.