The Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Industry Alliance recently announced its 2018 regulatory policy agenda, extending and building upon 2017 policy successes.
The regulatory priorities were discussed at the Alliance’s quarterly meeting in Arlington, Virginia on December 14, 2017. The 2018 priorities are a reaffirmation of the Industry Consensus Agenda that was adopted and presented to the incoming Trump Administration on Jan. 6, 2017.
The Industry Consensus Agenda covers six legislative and regulatory policies priorities that enhance growth and opportunity within the HVACR industry. The six priorities are:
1) Utilizing Industry Consensus Standards.
2) Tax Reform and Incentives.
3) Energy Policy and Conservation Act Reform.
4) Refrigerants and Ratifying the Kigali Amendment.
5) Energy Efficient and Quality HVACR Installations.
6) Workforce Development.
Alliance priorities that have been acted upon by Congress and the Trump Administration include tax reform, tax incentives, depreciation schedules for commercial equipment, and workforce development programs.
In 2018, Alliance members will continue to meet on a regular basis with leaders of the Trump Administration, Members of Congress, and regulatory agencies to ensure the Alliance’s remaining policy goals are discussed amongst policy makers.Paul T. Stalknecht, Chairman of the HVACR Industry Alliance, said: “Alliance members had a tremendous impact on federal policies in 2017 because we were united and worked together where we have common policy goals. The new tax reform law contains several priorities that many Alliance members focused on, such as expensing of HVAC equipment for business owners, better tax rates for business owners, and reforms to the estate tax. Several Alliance members also shared numerous workforce development initiatives with the Trump Administration, such as the national focus on increasing the number of apprenticeship programs. We look forward to continued success as the Alliance focuses on quality installation programs, refrigerant policies, and reforming the Energy Policy and Conservation Act in 2018.”The HVACR Industry Alliance was formed in 2007 and is comprised of 11 industry organizations: Air Conditioning Contractors of America; Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI); Air Movement & Control Association (AMCA) International; ASHRAE; Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI); Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI); National Air Filtration Association (NAFA); North American Technician Excellence (NATE); Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC); Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES); and Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA).