Blunt Meeting About EPA Lead Rule Draws a Crowd

Congressman Roy Blunt met with a room full of remodelers, sub-contractors and suppliers at the HBA office on Tuesday, April 2oth. Blunt listened to industry concerns about the EPA's lagging efforts to provide adequate training resources will severely limit the number of remodelers able to work in older homes or force home owners to hire illegal contractors. As well, on-going changes to the rule during the training phase, especially regarding the homeowner opt-out provision, created tremendous confusion and is an obstacle to compliance.

"An NAHB study shows that professional remodelers leave a home cleaner than when they begin work," said Rusty MacLachlan, HBA President. "Educated, professional remodelers are the best equipped to help prevent lead exposure. However, the lack of certified remodelers will put home owners and their families at greater risk of lead exposure."

Professional remodelers are also concerned that consumers will balk at the higher costs associated with rule compliance and will risk exposure to lead paint by attempting the work themselves or using an uncertified fly-by-night contractor to cut costs.

"If a homeowner is not already well-informed about what to ask for in terms of proof of certification, etc., the rule won’t help catch the shady contractors who really have no intention of complying, who don’t carry liability insurance and don’t pull permits – and therefore can provide a lower estimate for the work," said MacLachlan. According to a number of industry seminars and conference calls, looking at permitting activity is one way EPA will approach enforcement.

Blunt said he had already sent a letter to the EPA encouraging an administrative delay in the rule but at the time, he had not received a response from the agency. Many thanks to HBA member Alside for providing examples of related equipment and visual aids for the meeting. Due to industry demand, the HBA has added two more Lead Safety Certification Courses on May 25 and 26. To download the most current registration form, click here.

Demand for Lead Safety Class Continues - More Classes Added

The demand for the EPA required lead renovator training class continues as the April 22 deadline approaches. The HBA has scheduled two more classes with the EPA accredited trainer -- Wednesday, May 5 (click to download registration form) and Wednesday, May 12 (click to download registration form). Both classes will be held at the Meek's Design Center, 3231 N. Glenstone in Springfield.

Citing a need for more trainers and a faster certification process, inaccurate test kits and a lack of preparedness on the part of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) petitioned EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson this week to delay the Lead: Repair, Renovation and Painting Program Rule.

The rule, slated to become effective April 22, requires all remodelers and other contractors working in homes built before 1978 to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices and to use those practices in homes where small children or pregnant women live. EPA is also seeking to amend the regulation so that it would apply to all pre-1978 homes.

“NAHB and its builder and remodeler members fully support with the goals of the rule, which is designed to protect children from the toxic effects of lead paint,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, and President of Shirey Contracting in Issaquah, Wash.

“Remodelers are working hard to get trained and certified under the EPA’s lead rule. But we continue to receive calls that they can’t find training and are waiting to hear back from the EPA on certification. It’s incredibly frustrating that despite our diligence, remodelers will be penalized after April 22 because of the EPA’s failure to plan,” Shirey said.

For the full NAHB news release regarding this testimony, click here.