Flint official enters plea in lead-contaminated water case

The Stabenow-Peters agreement provides access to $100 million in funding to help fix Flint’s drinking water infrastructure; funding to activate over $1 billion in low-interest loans to upgrade water infrastructure in communities in MI and across the country; $50 million to address health care needs of children who have lead exposure; authority for the State of MI to forgive $20 million in past drinking water loans to Flint; and a requirement that EPA warn the public within 15 days of high lead levels in drinking water if a state fails to do so.

The Senate’s vote was 95-3 for the $9.4 billion water projects bill containing the provisions that could benefit Flint.

The bipartisan measure would authorize 29 projects in 18 states for dredging, flood control and other projects overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Senate measure sets $70 million in subsidies to help finance an estimated $1 billion in water infrastructure projects across the United States, including in Flint.

Also included is a combined $50 million to address the health implications of lead exposure, including $17.5 million for the establishment of a national registry to monitor the health of children exposed to lead. “They can not wait any longer and we must take action”, U.S. Senator Gary Peters, D-MI, said today.

Senators have twice reached a bipartisan deal to help Flint but were blocked after Sen. Mike Lee of Utah objected.

Flint, a financially struggling city of 100,000 people, switched from Detroit’s water system to the Flint River to save money in 2014.

The state appeals court has agreed to hear a dispute between the MI health department and authorities who are investigating crimes in the Flint water crisis. But tests later showed that the river water was improperly treated and coursed through aging pipes and fixtures, releasing toxic lead. Elevated lead levels have been found in at least 325 people, including 221 children. It also requires U.S. EPA officials to warn the public within 15 days of knowing of high lead levels in other communities. Federal, state and local officials continuing to work together are going to help restore Flint and help the people of Flint recover.

A spokesman said Lee remains opposed to the bill, which he said increases spending without offsetting budget cuts. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and fellow Democrats in CT and Rhode Island.

The dispute involves dredging planned near a submarine base outside New London, Connecticut, to make room for the Navys newest Virginia-class submarines. Gillibrand and other NY officials fear the project could violate the state’s stringent water quality standards.

Gillibrand secured language in the bill aimed at blocking any disposal that violates water quality standards. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said. The measure now goes to the House, where approval of a similar bill — minus the Flint provision — is expected as soon as next week. Bob Gibbs, R-Ohio, who chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee on water resources, said multiple House committees still need to finalize their work on the bill, but he said he was hopeful it could get done.