The Environmental Protection Agency has announced an upcoming federalism consultation for the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) revisions scheduled for January 8. Executive Order, EO 13132, requires the federal government consult with state and local officials, or the national organizations that represent them, when developing regulations and/or policy that would impose significant compliance costs on either local or state governments.
EPA has invited 18 different groups and associations to the two-hour meeting, including AMWA. Among the other invitees are representatives of state and local elected officials, regulators and water utilities including the National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, Environmental Council of the States, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, and the American Water Works Association. The invitation letter states the agency is seeking “input on the options under consideration.” The invited groups will then have 60 days to provide formal comments.
EPA has also updated the tentative timeline for the LCR revisions, with the draft to be released in August 2018 and the final rule in February 2020. Previously, the draft was to be released in January 2018.