Advocacy News

09.25.23

On July 28, 2023, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) released over 2,000 pages of information that include a pre-published Final Rule for commercial water heater energy efficiency standards, as well as proposed rules for energy efficiency standards for both residential water heaters (published) and residential boilers, the latter of which was officially published on August 14, 2023. …

07.14.23

The General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a memorandum related to what constitutes a “Captive Audience” Meeting, GC 22-04. (See Memorandum) This memorandum informs regional offices that the long standing practice of allowing employers to require employees to attend mandatory meetings where employers could provide information in opposition to the union is unlawful …

04.26.23

As states wrap up or continue their 2023 legislative sessions, nearly all of them have weighed in on the topic of natural gas. Hawaii and Rhode Island have introduced legislation this year hoping to enact all-electric policies statewide on the heels of dozens of communities throughout California who have previously enacted these ordinances, which effectively ban the use of natural gas in new …

12.21.22

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA, originally Workforce Investment Act [WIA]) was reauthorized in 2014, continuing a popular workforce grant program originally started in 1998 to help jobseekers find employment and training opportunities to secure work in high-demand fields. With the current workforce shortage, combined with shifts in the post-pandemic labor market, WIOA is …

11.15.22

This has been a historic, if not unusual, midterm election season. Republicans have just secured a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will be the next Speaker of the House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) are stepping down from their leadership roles, making way for a new generation of …

08.18.22

PHCC legislative staff is looking through the 700+ page bill to understand its full impact on contractors. Below is what we have learned about the pros and cons of this bill thus far. PROS AND CONS What we like: There are tax incentives for contractors that perform work improving the energy efficiency of their customers’ homes and businesses, and tax credits have been increased for homeowners …

04.25.22

Since the City of Berkeley, California, enacted the nation’s first electrification reach code in 2019, other jurisdictions have considered adopting this concept. Initially, it was other major cities that followed suit like Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, and most recently New York. However, as momentum for these policies continued to grow locally, interest began building …

03.30.22

This op-ed was prepared by PHCC National Vice President Joe Cornetta during recent PHCC of Long Island efforts to oppose a proposed ban of the use of clean-burning natural gas, propane and oil in new construction. See this article for more details.

03.28.22

For state and local governments combating global climate change, natural gas often finds itself at the center of the conversation. A quick review of national energy statistics from the United States Energy Information Administration makes it apparent as to why this is the case. Natural gas accounts for approximately one-third of the nation’s total energy consumption and production, more than doubling that of coal, and nearly doubling that of nuclear and other renewables, in both categories.

03.28.22

The New York State Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC), and its state and local counterparts across the country oppose efforts to eliminate the use of natural gas.