4 ms·

Lead pipes are disproportionately located in old cities, which are disproportionately Democratic. Chicago (Democratic stronghold, origin of Obama) installed new

Lead pipes are disproportionately located in old cities, which are disproportionately Democratic. Chicago (Democratic stronghold, origin of Obama) installed new lead plumbing until at least the 1980s at the behest of the unions, many decades after every other city had given them up (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/22/us-lead-industry-history-water-crisis https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/22/us-lead-indu...). So if it's delayed, it will be by Democrats.

legitster 3y ago
The last people installing these were 50 years ago. What does the political leanings of these cities today have to do with it? To the extent that most cities already have programs to dig up and replace old goosenecks, most would probably support some additional federal enforcement.
- mikecoles 3y ago
  Go back and re-read the prior comment. Then think about it. You'll then understand that fixing things, currently or in the near future, it will be the current leadership that has much of the blame or applaud coming to them.
- telotortium 3y ago
  Chicago is not one of those cities that have transitioned to Democratic control recently - they haven't had a Republican mayor since 1933. Even NYC had one as recently as 2012 or so. Unfunded mandates are not going to be popular, no matter which political party does so. Reading the article, it appears that the federal government has provided about half of the EPA-estimated cost of replacing all these pipes. So that means either states paying for the rest or forcing customers (i.e., ordinary people and businesses) to cover the cost. Since the COVID-related tax income flush has trickled off, state budgets will be tight, so this will probably have to be funded with a tax increase or water bill increase (functionally the same as a tax).
justin66 3y ago
I get that Chicago is a right-wing bogeyman and that's probably why you brought it up (I looked for other pop right-wing stuff in your comment history and was not disappointed) but the issue of cities or utilities with a high density of lead pipes needing longer is addressed in the rule, and they're granted an extended timeline. There's no reason they can't get started when everyone else does. https://apnews.com/article/lead-epa-flint-discrimination-biden-white-house-ca10a72d628491fe03ec687432bf0b45 https://apnews.com/article/lead-epa-flint-discrimination-bid...
- mikecoles 3y ago
  There's enough left-wingnut commentary in your single post to not be disappointed. You are so blinded by jealousy that you missed the point on the prior comment.
- telotortium 3y ago
  I hope to gain wisdom from all political perspectives. Also, I'm from Chicago, and my link was from The Guardian.
  - justin66 3y ago
    Apologies - you certainly are entitled to your strong opinions about your local politics!

legitster 3y ago

The last people installing these were 50 years ago. What does the political leanings of these cities today have to do with it? To the extent that most cities already have programs to dig up and replace old goosenecks, most would probably support some additional federal enforcement.

mikecoles 3y ago
Go back and re-read the prior comment. Then think about it. You'll then understand that fixing things, currently or in the near future, it will be the current leadership that has much of the blame or applaud coming to them.
telotortium 3y ago
Chicago is not one of those cities that have transitioned to Democratic control recently - they haven't had a Republican mayor since 1933. Even NYC had one as recently as 2012 or so. Unfunded mandates are not going to be popular, no matter which political party does so. Reading the article, it appears that the federal government has provided about half of the EPA-estimated cost of replacing all these pipes. So that means either states paying for the rest or forcing customers (i.e., ordinary people and businesses) to cover the cost. Since the COVID-related tax income flush has trickled off, state budgets will be tight, so this will probably have to be funded with a tax increase or water bill increase (functionally the same as a tax).

justin66 3y ago

I get that Chicago is a right-wing bogeyman and that's probably why you brought it up (I looked for other pop right-wing stuff in your comment history and was not disappointed) but the issue of cities or utilities with a high density of lead pipes needing longer is addressed in the rule, and they're granted an extended timeline. There's no reason they can't get started when everyone else does. https://apnews.com/article/lead-epa-flint-discrimination-biden-white-house-ca10a72d628491fe03ec687432bf0b45 https://apnews.com/article/lead-epa-flint-discrimination-bid...

mikecoles 3y ago
There's enough left-wingnut commentary in your single post to not be disappointed. You are so blinded by jealousy that you missed the point on the prior comment.
telotortium 3y ago
I hope to gain wisdom from all political perspectives. Also, I'm from Chicago, and my link was from The Guardian.
- justin66 3y ago
  Apologies - you certainly are entitled to your strong opinions about your local politics!