NEWBURGH – Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) joined Hudson Valley local leaders to celebrate investments in lead pipe removal, clean water, and cleanup of PFAS contaminants coming to the Hudson Valley thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Rep. Maloney was instrumental in delivering these funds for the Hudson Valley – he voted for the transformative legislation and helped draft portions of the law as a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
“Families across the Hudson Valley can sleep a lot easier at night knowing help is on the way to ensure our drinking water is clean. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we will replace all lead water pipes, clean up polluted superfund sites, and remove contaminants like PFAS from our environment,” said Rep. Maloney. “I am proud to have voted for and helped draft this critical legislation which will deliver a historic investment in our water infrastructure, including $400 million for New York just this year.”
Rep. Maloney was joined by local leaders and advocates. Among those who spoke or stood in support were: Mayor Torrance Harvey, Senator James Skoufis, Wayne Vradenburgh, Water Superintendent, Newburgh, Ramona Monteverde, Newburgh City Council Ward 2, Giselle Martinez, Newburgh City Council Ward 1.
“Thank you Congressman Maloney. I just want to say thank you, and I mean that because lead line replacement is something that has been a high priority on our list here locally in the city of Newburgh,” said Mayor Torrance Harvey. “We know the science. We know the science is there, the research is there on the horrible effects of lead exposure particularly in drinking water.”
“This funding helps frontline residents and customers. Infrastructure wise, you’ve seen water mains break across the state. We took a section of water main out a couple weeks ago and stamped on the side of that water main was 1887. That water main has been in service since 1887. So, with our federal partners and state partners, you know with this infrastructure, it’s a good day for the drinking water industry,” said Wayne Vradenburgh, Newburgh Water Superintendent.
“If you want healthy families, get clean water. You want economic development and business to come to Newburgh, you better have clean water,” said State Senator James Skoufis. “This is a game changer thanks to Congressman Maloney and his colleagues who supported this funding and I look forward to working with him and everyone who is here […] to make sure our constituents see this funding and we get rid of lead once in for all in all our pipes.”
“I just want to say thank you Congressman Maloney for this. I mean this is going to be, as Senator Skoufis said, a gamechanger for the city of Newburgh and for our residents,” said Ramona Monteverde, Newburgh City Council Representative Ward 2. “This affects families […] You know, our children who are going to school. There are so many awful health effects that affect our kids and also our elderly and our young people. So thank you again, this is going to be fantastic for the city of Newburgh.”