NARI Calls for Action by EPA

There have been efforts made by a few trade associations to either campaign for more enforcement of the RRP Rule or repeal it all together. On January 13^th Shawn McCadden, author of RRPedia and noted speaker, wrote a blog post detailing both trains of thought.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry(NARI) has called for more action and more enforcement on the part of EPA. In a letter to Lisa Jackson of EPA written by NARI Executive Vice President Mary Busey, Busey calls for EPA to aggressively target illegal contractors and enforce the RRP Rule. Busey also suggests that EPA takes measures to not only enforce the RRP Rule, but publicize its enforcement measures as well as the fines they dole it to illegal contractors.

Busey writes:

“ In our view, the only way for EPA to address the problem of non-certified contractors is to aggressively and publicly enforce the LRRP rule and to push authorized states to do the same. 

NARI would like to work with you to publicize EPA’s enforcement efforts and maximize the campaign’s impact.  Through a public enforcement strategy, we can lessen harmful exposure to lead during construction and we can drive more homeowners towards certified contractors when they consider remodeling projects.”

This strikes at the heart of the issue. Until the threat of fining is imminent, nothing will change. The contractors who have faithfully obtained certification and have actively been working according to lead safe protocol will continue to lose out to illegal contractors who charge less. A campaign to advertise the rule and inform the average homeowner is necessary to discourage contractors from working illegally.