Dear John,

Earlier this year, President Biden laid out a transformative blueprint to tackle climate change, address environmental justice, and reduce air pollution – all while investing in infrastructure and creating jobs. Congress is now working on how to move ahead with upgrading our infrastructure, starting with legislation that includes billions of dollars for our nation’s transportation and water systems.

Congress’ current proposal includes investments in electric school buses and replacing lead service water lines, among other clean water provisions, but more funding is needed. We need your help to shore up the electric school buses and lead service pipe replacement provisions in these bills! Without fully funding these priorities, we jeopardize efforts to clean up our air, water and climate and protect the health of people now and for generations to come.

Your members of Congress need to hear from you! Demand transformative investments that will fully replace harmful lead pipes and stop fossil-fuel powered transportation that harms our children! 

Everyone deserves to breathe clean air and drink safe water, and yet for millions of Americans these basic necessities are unavailable. Currently, there are more than 9 million lead service lines in our country. They are located in every state and provide water for up to 22 million Americans. Lead exposure from these lines endanger the health of communities across America, including harm to brain development in children and increased risk of heart disease in adults.

Children are particularly vulnerable, not only to lead exposure but air pollution. Each school year, around 26 million children are exposed to harmful diesel pollution as they travel to and from school. This pollution doesn’t just spread outdoors, it also gets trapped inside the school bus — meaning children are breathing in harmful fumes each time they ride the bus to and from school. By investing in zero-emission busses, the United States can eliminate billions of tons in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other harmful forms of air pollution released by diesel powered buses. 

Fully replacing lead service lines and transitioning to clean electric school buses can protect generations of children from asthma and cancer while promoting healthy brain development. Send a message to your leaders supporting these lifesaving investments!

Thank you for your leadership,

Wes Rogerson
Manager, Grassroots Organizing & Activism