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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Congressional Hearing on Drinking Water Safety and Infrastructure

Original title: THE CLEAN FUTURE ACT AND DRINKING WATER: LEGISLATION TO ENSURE DRINKING WATER IS SAFE AND CLEAN

January 1, 2022

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as the legislative foundation for several proposed federal bills that could change how local water systems are funded, inspected, and regulated, directly impacting water safety standards and consumer costs for residents nationwide.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Local water utility customers

Proposed legislation could change water affordability programs, debt relief options, and safety standards for their tap water.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The agency is responsible for implementing new regulatory standards and oversight mechanisms proposed in the discussed bills.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2022.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a virtual hearing on May 25, 2021, to discuss legislative proposals aimed at improving drinking water quality, infrastructure, and affordability. The hearing featured testimony from the EPA and reviewed multiple bills addressing lead contamination, , and water debt relief.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on May 25, 2021, by the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
  • The committee reviewed ten specific legislative proposals related to water infrastructure and safety.
  • Proposed legislation includes the 'Get the Lead Out Act' (H.R. 3300) and the 'Protect Drinking Water from PFAS Act of 2021' (H.R. 3267).
  • Other bills discussed address water debt relief, low-income customer assistance, and infrastructure improvements in colonias.
  • Jennifer McLain, Director of the EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, provided official testimony.
  • The committee received a 2019 report from Environment America and U.S. PIRG regarding lead in school drinking water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to discuss and review multiple legislative proposals aimed at ensuring safe drinking water, improving water infrastructure, and addressing water affordability.
Which specific water issues were discussed?
The committee discussed lead contamination, (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), water debt relief, and infrastructure needs for low-income communities.

Why It Matters

This hearing serves as the legislative foundation for several proposed federal bills that could change how local water systems are funded, inspected, and regulated, directly impacting water safety standards and consumer costs for residents nationwide.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Legislative focus on water affordability

The inclusion of multiple bills specifically targeting water debt relief and low-income assistance indicates a shift toward addressing water as a social affordability issue rather than just a technical infrastructure issue.

Connected Entities

personJennifer McLainDirector of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water at the EPAMap →
organizationEnvironmental Protection AgencyFederal agency providing testimony on water safetyMap →
personPaul TonkoChairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate ChangeMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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