Your Voice in Washington, DC
PHCC Government Affairs builds and maintains relationships with federal policymakers and educates them on the needs of our industry and the impact of legislative and regulatory activity.
Our message to officials in Washington is crafted by PHCC contractors and chapter executives to ensure our policy positions accurately reflect the policy priorities of our members. PHCC’s Government Affairs Committee consists of contractors of all sizes representing plumbing and HVAC, residential and commercial, union and non-union, and chapter executives from across the country who work with PHCC staff to identify opportunities and threats and develop strategies for success. Most importantly, PHCC hosts an annual Legislative Conference providing an opportunity for contractors to meet directly with their elected officials in Washington, DC.
PHCC’s government affairs team is also available to support your efforts at the state level should your chapter need it.
PHCC’s government affairs framework allows contractors a seat at the table, and is only successful because of your involvement. Our policy priorities outlined below were crafted based exclusively on input from PHCC contractors:
Energy Policy
PHCC supports a robust national energy policy with a focus on retaining a diverse and affordable portfolio of options from which Americans can choose to provide power and comfort for their lives. PHCC opposes policies at the federal and state level that directly or indirectly limits those options.
- PHCC supports HR6089, which preempts state and local governments from restricting or prohibiting the use of natural gas and delivered fuels. PHCC members are encouraged to contact their Members of Congress to urge swift passage of this legislation and refer to the official statement of support from PHCC President Joe Cornetta.
- Learn more about PHCC’s energy priorities by viewing our talking points here.
Workforce Policy
Plumbing, heating and cooling contractors across the country, regardless of their affiliation with PHCC or lack thereof (if you fall in the latter category, learn more about membership here!) with PHCC struggle to find skilled employees to service their customers’ needs, which can stifle business growth and the ability to pass the trade on to the next generation of journeymen and future contractors. PHCC supports federal policies that open avenues and remove barriers to those who seek secure, skilled employment in consistently high-demand fields such as plumbing and HVAC.
- PHCC supports funding for the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs. Long-overdue reauthorization of the National Apprenticeship Act will reinforce the apprenticeship model which has served the building trades for over a century.
- PHCC opposes any attempts to water-down the registered apprenticeship model or reduce oversight that ensures integrity of apprenticeship curriculums. See our comments to the Department of Labor on Trump administration’s Industry-Recognized Apprenticeships and our concerns with the Biden administration’s National Apprenticeship System Enhancement.
- PHCC supports the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) program, which provides grants for employer-based training. Several PHCC state and local chapters administering apprenticeship programs leverage these grants; chapter executives can learn more about eligibility here.
- Learn more about PHCC’s workforce policy priorities in the House and in the Senate.
Regulatory Affairs
When bills become law, it is incumbent upon federal agencies to enact those laws. PHCC is actively involved in the federal rulemaking process and drafts comments on behalf of PHCC to help guide that process. Agencies of focus for PHCC include the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Labor, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other cabinet-level agencies where regulations have an impact on the plumbing, heating and cooling industry.
- Department of Labor Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on National Apprenticeship System Enhancements
Comments filed by PHCC can be viewed here. - Department of Energy Final Rule on Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Water Heaters
Comments filed by PHCC can be viewed here. - Department of Energy Final Rule on Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Furnaces
Comments filed by PHCC can be viewed here. - Federal Emergency Management Agency Consensus-Based Codes, Specifications and Standards for Public Assistance
Comments filed by PHCC on Version 3 here. - Department of Housing and Urban Development Request for Information for HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Rules, Waivers, and Alternative Requirements
Comments filed by PHCC here.
We Need Your Feedback
PHCC’s Government Affairs efforts are based on input we receive from PHCC members and chapter executives. Contact your advocacy team at PHCC national headquarters at government@naphcc.org and let us know how we can help.