No more lead pipes in Flint 

More than a decade ago, nearly 100,000 residents of Flint, Michigan, were exposed to lead in their drinking water. Now, with the replacement of 11,000 lead pipes in Flint, city officials say they are coming to the end of their lead pipe replacement project — creating a safer water supply for residents. 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has plans to remove any remaining lead service lines later this year. 

Asbestos ban bounces back  

Near the end of the Biden administration, the Environmental Protection Agency moved to ban the last legal use of asbestos in the U.S. After initially saying it would reverse that ban, the Trump EPA has now indicated it will support the original finding recommending a ban on all forms of asbestos. 

This change of course came after a public outcry over the health concerns of this known carcinogen. 

NYC congestion pricing is working 

Six months into New York City’s congestion pricing plan, traffic is down and revenue is flooding in. The congestion relief zone, an area in southern Manhattan where passenger vehicles are charged $9 to enter, has seen an 11% decrease in traffic. This translates to 67,000 fewer vehicles per day and 10 million fewer since the program began. 

The revenue from those still entering southern Manhattan is expected to hit $500 million this year.  

Air quality is projected to improve with fewer polluting vehicles packing city streets; and the city plans to use the funds to purchase 265 new electric buses, which will further reduce air pollution.