Next step is House and Senate reconciliation of S. 2012 and H.R. 8

Plumbing Manufacturers International applauds the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 (S. 2012). The legislation contains a series of amendments, including one spearheaded by PMI authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program.

The next step is for the Senate to reconcile this energy overhaul package with the House-approved North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act (H.R. 8), which includes a similar amendment authorizing WaterSense.

“PMI will continue to work to keep WaterSense authorization intact in a final energy package that goes to the president,” said Barbara C. Higgens, PMI CEO/executive director. “Authorizing WaterSense will demonstrate a true national commitment to water and energy savings,” she said, noting that water savings contributes to energy savings because less water needs to be heated. “Real and immediate savings can be achieved now by simply replacing older plumbing products with WaterSense toilets, showerheads and faucets.”

PMI lauded the key sponsors of the bipartisan amendment authorizing WaterSense for their leadership, including Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Robert Portman (R-Ohio), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

Once signed into law, the authorization amendment will strengthen the WaterSense program, which certifies plumbing products that meet performance standards while being at least 20 percent more water efficient than other products meeting federal standards in the same category.

Higgens said authorization will send a clear signal about the federal government’s willingness to support programs relating to water sustainability, particularly important at a time when many states face drought conditions and problems associated with an aging underground water infrastructure.

“PMI voluntarily participates in the WaterSense program because it shares our goal to improve water efficiency,” Higgens said. “Our members have manufactured thousands of different types of WaterSense products over the past several years, giving our nation a head start toward assuring water sustainability.”