{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-new-jersey-towns-and-cities-will-join-federal-program", "Pallone Announces New Jersey Towns and Cities Will Join Federal Program to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Service Lines", "2023-11-06", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "New Brunswick, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today to announce which New Jersey communities will participate in a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s goal of 100 percent lead service line removal and replacement. The communities in the state selected for the program include Blackwood, Clementon, East Newark, Harrison, Keansburg, Keyport, New Brunswick, Ventnor, Camden, and Trenton.\n\nIn January, the EPA selected New Jersey as one of four test states for the agency\u2019s new \u201cLead Service Line Replacement Accelerators\u201d program, which will provide technical assistance to replace lead pipes in underserved areas. EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish, including support in developing lead service line replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and supporting applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. As a result, more communities will be able to access their fair share of federal funds to secure clean, safe drinking water free of lead contamination.\n\n\u201cEvery American has a fundamental right to safe, clean drinking water. That\u2019s why I fought for funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines quickly and equitably. No community should be left to face the health risks stemming from lead pipes any longer,\u201d said Pallone. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled that EPA is providing much needed assistance to fast-track the removal and replacement of toxic lead pipes, and I commend Administrator Regan for working diligently to target those communities most impacted. This is another significant step toward ensuring that every family can trust the water coming out of the tap. I look forward to this resource expanding to help other communities in need.\u201d\n\n\u201cAddressing lead in drinking water is long overdue,\u201d said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. \u201cEPA is committed to tackling the problem at the source \u2013 by removing lead service lines. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we finally have the funds to do just that. New Jersey\u2019s role in lead service line replacement serves as a model for the rest of the nation. Together we can protect children and families where they live, work, and play.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Murphy Administration, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, is proud to accelerate the protection of every resident and child in New Jersey from the risk of lead exposure by identifying lead pipes and assuring they will be replaced,\u201d said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. \u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping make it possible to empower our state with the tools, knowledge and resources to protect public health and ensure every community has clean and safe drinking water.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis collaborative effort marks a day of achievement, as we come together to take a significant step forward in ensuring the health and well-being of our community,\u201d said New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill. \u201cThe Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator Program represents a crucial initiative that aligns with our commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water for our residents.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Borough of Keansburg is excited to be a part of the EPA\u2019s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator\u2019s program. This program is providing my Borough the assistance necessary to identify lead service lines, provide public outreach and education to our community and to prepare a fiscally responsible replacement strategy,\u201d said the Borough of Keansburg Mayor George Hoff. \u201cThe Accelerator Program will enable the Borough to accelerate the lead service replacement program and ultimately get the lead out!\u201d\n\n\u201cCollaboration across all sectors is essential to eradicate lead. Our leaders and officials must foster relationships with grassroots organizations and research institutions to get the lead out,\u201d said Shereyl Snider, Community Organizer with the East Trenton Collaborative. \u201cAs the Lead-Free New Jersey Hub, the East Trenton Collaborative is partnering with Rutgers (EOHSI), Ph.D. Student Sean Stratton and Dr. Brian Buckly to educate and advocate for lead remediation. Without these partnerships, our children continue to be exposed to lead.\u201d\n\n\u201cLead exposure endangers the health of our families and children, especially in older urban communities like New Brunswick,\u201d said President and CEO New Brunswick Tomorrow Jaymie Santiago. \u201cThe Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators program is a tremendous opportunity to remove this public health scourge from our water infrastructure once and for all. We are grateful to the Biden Administration, Congressman Pallone, and the EPA for bringing these resources to New Brunswick, and we look forward to helping achieve a lead-free future for our city.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know that accelerating the replacement of lead service lines is critical to taking back the tap for communities already overburdened by multiple pollution sources,\u201d stated Amy Goldsmith, NJ State Director, Clean Water Action. \u201cWith the help of the NJ Congressional delegation, USEPA and federal funding, more of NJ's BIPOC and low-income communities will be able to replicate what Newark did in just three years (i.e. replaced all residential lead service lines). This federal accelerator program brings us closer to achieving water justice by putting New Jersey in the fast lane when it comes to replacing more lead service lines faster where people are most vulnerable and in need.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-new-jersey-towns-and-cities-will-join-federal-program"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1278758756816387, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}