EPA Administrator Michael Regan Responds to Questions about Leaded Aviation Fuel

Rep. Lofgren: Mr Chairman, Administrator Reagan, I want to ask you a question first about the subject I referenced in my opening statement and it's something I've been dealing with for quite some time. Leaded fuels are the primary fuel for piston engine aircraft -- I mean jets don't use, commercial airlines don't use leaded fuel. It's just the piston engine small aircraft which comprise really the bulk of the general aviation sector.

Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has concluded, based on scientific studies, that there is no known safe level of lead in the blood. What this means is that residents near general aviation airports live with lead exposure in the air and ground every day. Now as I mentioned there is a small airport in the district I represent, Reid-Hillview Airport. The county of Santa Clara commissioned a scientific study and found that the blood levels of children in the neighborhoods surrounding the airport had lead levels that were rivaling that in Flint, Michigan, and so it's very important that we get the lead out of this last part of transportation and protect the children of this country.

Congress instructed the FAA to come up with an alternative to leaded avgas, but they haven't been able to get the job done. More recently various groups have petitioned the EPA to finalize their endangerment finding related to leaded avgas. Now I'm hopeful that the finding will force the FAA and industry to come up with a plan to stop poisoning children with leaded fuels. Can you provide us with an update as to where this effort stands?

Administrator Regan: Well, Congresswoman, first of all I would agree with you that there is absolutely no acceptable level of lead for any of us, but especially our children. So EPA has been very active in this area, working very hard, following the science, following the process for a lead endangerment finding in this area. We're making significant progress and we believe that we'll have the endangerment finding wrapped up, I believe this fall. So that process is moving along in a very scientific and orderly way.

Congresswoman Lofgren: So we're in the fall. We could expect this quite soon, yes?

Administrator Regan: Yes, it will be done this fall, maybe late fall, but this fall. And I don't want to prejudge or predetermine the outcome, but what I want to tell you is we've been very methodical and disciplined on making this determination.

Congresswoman Lofgren: Thank you very much.

Rep. Bonamici: I want to start by aligning myself with representative Ranking Member Lofgren. As a representative for Hillsboro Oregon Airport, I want to emphasize again the importance of addressing lead pollution. Mr. Administrator, protecting public health and the environment, which is the EPA mission, requires strengthening, not cutting programs that are proven to work. And thank you, Administrator, for your commitment that the work of the EPA will be informed by rigorous and quality science.