For Immediate Release
January 28, 2021
Contact:
Jill Ryan, Executive Director
(231) 348-8200
Jill@freshwaterfuture.org
Petoskey, MI – Today Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Debbie Dingell re-introduced the Emergency Water is a Human Right bill. The legislation prohibits any public utility receiving federal funds authorized under the act from turning off energy and water services to Americans who cannot afford to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it creates a Low-Income Household Drinking Water and Wastewater Assistance Program for residents struggling to pay their water utility bills.
Jill Ryan, Executive Director of Freshwater Future, states, “We applaud Representatives Tlaib and Dingell for introducing legislation to keep water services flowing to Americans who cannot afford to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. An unprecedented number of Americans are out of work, have children learning remotely, and many are without access to running tap water in their homes. Clean, safe, and affordable water is essential to good public health and our economy. “
Ryan also notes, “A recent study confirms that a moratorium on utility disconnections reduces COVID-19 infections and saves lives. We urge Congress to swiftly pass the Emergency Water is a Human Right legislation and look forward to working with our partners and Representatives Tlaib and Dingell to ensure all Americans have access to clean, safe, and affordable water during and after COVID-19.”
A full text of the bill can be found here.
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Blog – Freshwater Future
https://freshwaterfuture.org/drinking-water/freshwater-future-applauds-congresswomen-tlaib-dingells-reintroduction-of-emergency-water-is-a-human-right/