Infrastructure compromise could limit lead pipe replacement in Buffalo

The Buffalo News
Jerry Zremski

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​WASHINGTON – The infrastructure bill before the Senate is a compromise, and to hear the experts tell it, the measure compromises President Biden's goal of replacing every lead water pipe in America.

That's because while Biden proposed spending $45 billion specifically to remove lead water pipes – including more than 100 miles of them in Buffalo – the bipartisan infrastructure bill sets aside only $15 billion for that purpose.

"Fifteen billion doesn't go very far," said Bob Keefe, executive director of E2, a nonpartisan group of business leaders pushing for environmental investments such as the lead pipe removal effort. "It doesn't go far enough. Several studies have shown that it's going to take $45 billion."