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Trump talked to Putin, told Russian leader not to escalate in Ukraine; AZ passes abortion measure, advocates still concerned about a Trump presidency; Environmental advocates sue Montana over public documents; Los Angeles tackles hunger with new Office of Food Equity.

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A former Harris aide calls for Biden to resign so Harris can briefly take the presidency. Trump wins Arizona, but so does Democrat Ruben Gallego. And AI experts warn that recent election fraud videos were Russian deep fakes.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

EDF maps show progress on Tennessee lead service line replacement

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Tuesday, May 14, 2024   

Tennessee has fallen behind on lead service line replacement, with the Environmental Defense Fund's new maps showing only one utility with a public program.

The maps reveal progress, despite Tennessee having more than 380,000 lead pipes and ranking fifth in the country for service lines to replace, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

LaTricea Adams, founder, CEO and president of Young, Gifted and Green in Memphis, said the new maps are a valuable tool for her organization to continue community education and action on lead poisoning prevention and environmental advocacy.

"It helps us to be able to have a reputable vetted resource to help us in our advocacy endeavors to continue to push for more accountability and oversight as it relates to lead service line replacement at the local level," Adams explained.

The EPA's new Lead and Copper rule expected in October will give municipalities nationwide a decade to replace all existing lead pipes and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $15 billion across the country for lead service line replacement.

In Memphis and Shelby County, lead poisoning in children is mainly caused by lead paint in homes, according to the Shelby County Health Department, rather than lead contamination in water.

Adams pointed out areas with lots of lead paint in homes often have lead service lines. She added no form of lead is safe and at any point of exposure it contributes to significant implications for all human beings.

"When we think about children -- for example, when we think about women and child-birthing people -- it becomes even more dire," Adams emphasized. "Around us trying to mitigate, remediate, and I mean, hopefully just completely remove all the barriers that exist to lessen the exposure of lead and all of its forms."

Adams added the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division recently requested state-revolving funds earmarked for lead service line replacement. She added this is among the first instances where requests have been specifically earmarked for such a replacement.


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