"Pruitt’s Lead-Reduction Initiative Met With Caution, Optimism"

"Not everyone is convinced that the EPA’s new initiative to reduce childhood lead exposure will yield significant benefits, despite its big launch Feb. 15 with a meeting of Cabinet-level officials at the agency’s headquarters.

Tim Epp, an attorney with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel, said its main purpose will be to get every federal agency on the same page.

“It’s largely going to be focused on coordinating,” Epp, whom Administrator Scott Pruitt chose to spearhead the development of an interagency anti-lead strategy, told Bloomerg Environment during an exclusive interview Feb. 16. A main goal will be “to make sure we’re using our federal dollars wisely, that we’re coordinating with states.”

But, according to Tom Neltner, chemicals policy director with the Environmental Defense Fund, the time for coordinating has passed."

David Schultz reports for Bloomberg Environment February 20, 2018.