Public Health News: Federal

According to health officials, there is no level of lead in the body that is known to be without harmful effects. That is why NYLCV is urging everyone - homeowners, health care providers, businesses, politicians, educators, etc. - to participate in the federal government’s upcoming National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), which will be held Oct. 23-29, with wide dissemination of information and a series of topic-focused releases and webinars to spread awareness and lead to community and legislative action.

Along with 147 other organizations, NYLCV is urging the EPA to remove the previous administration's harmful revision to the Lead and Copper Rule and instead implement new broad changes to the LCR that would prioritize decreasing lead exposure.

Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign released his Build Back Better climate action plan which aims to fight climate change while supporting, growing, and greening the economy. New Yorkers will benefit from federal support and investment into climate resilient infrastructure, jobs, and environmental justice.

We recently joined 13 other state conservation voter groups for a Fall Lobby Day on Capitol Hill organized by the national LCV. On the agenda was permanent and full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and a suite of clean energy proposals ranging from tax credits for renewables to funding for electric school buses.

This summer, the Trump Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a plan to roll back a litany of rules regulating methane emissions. The plans are a serious threat to efforts to combat climate change and can endanger public health.

We examined the current presidential candidates’ positions on lead poisoning prevention by looking at their campaign platforms, plans, and statements.

The EPA is looking to weaken the Clean Water Act (CWA) enforcement process by decreasing states’ authority to enforce the law. The proposed changes target states like New York that have used the CWA to block or delay projects that may harm the environment.