More than 100 Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association contractors, chapter executives and other industry stakeholders from 27 states and the District of Columbia took part in the trade group’s annual Legislative Conference, May 21-22, in Washington D.C.

“Remember the three B’s,” Craig Brightup, CEO, of government relations consulting firm, The Brightup Group, told attendees before they set out for a day’s worth of various appointments on Capitol Hill. “Be brilliant, be brief and be gone.”

After hearing briefs on legislative matters, attendees fanned out for appointments at more than 125 House and Senate offices.

“This was our biggest crowd for the event since before the pandemic, said Mark Valentini vice president, legislative affairs for PHCC. “The event was the culmination of years of hard work to establish PHCC as the leading organization representing plumbing and HVAC contractors. We made our presence known.”

Two Issues

By and large, the two topics, attendees discussed with their legislators focused on energy choice and aid for workforce development.

Energy choice: “A desire to transition to carbon-neutral sources of energy is driving federal agencies, state governments and localities to consider policies to fully electrify the built environment,” according to a briefing paper that attendees left behind following their appointments, “which would severely limit the use of natural gas utility connection, gas appliances and delivered fuel in residential and commercial construction.”

Or as Valentini aptly put it: “We can’t just rely on one source of energy in a country with 350 million people.”

Valentini also reminded everyone that the same groups currently backing building electrification mandates were, some 20 years ago, the same groups backing the role of natural gas in advocating for cleaner energy sources.

“And all of a sudden,” Valentini added, “that’s not the case. So it’s important to lay out the facts that natural gas continues to play an important role to provide heat and hot water while still reducing carbon emissions.”

H.R. 6089, introduced by Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy (R-NY-23) last October and also known as the “Energy Choice Act,” would “prohibit states or local governments from prohibiting the connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion of an energy service based on the type or source of energy to be delivered, and for other purposes.”

“The refusal of certain state and local governments to consider policies that provide a more sustainable transition to a less carbon-intensive future,” according a PHCC statement in support of H.R. 6089 signed by Joseph Cornetta, president of PHCC-National, “coupled with the economic burdens placed on the American people through bans on fossil fuel heating sources, necessitates federal preemption to ensure homeowners can continue to afford living in their homes while having robust options for maintaining home comfort.” 

While the PHCC recognizes the need to reduce carbon emissions, attendees pointed out during their meetings with Congressional staff the extra costs involved in the “electrify everything” trend that extend well beyond the purchase of a new appliance. These range from consumer upgrades to electrical panels and insulation, as well as public infrastructure expenditures to the nation’s electric grid to deliver energy to the built environment that is already reliably handled by fossil fuels.

Workforce development: The subject of skilled trades careers sounds more cut and dry than energy choice, but it’s still a matter that requires ongoing funding, particularly as Congress heads into appropriation season.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 132,000 plumbing and HVAC jobs will need to be filled by 2032, which accounts for nearly a fifth of the construction jobs that need to be filled in that same time frame.

“We must continue funding for programs that provide pathways to careers in plumbing and HVAC,” Valentini explained.

Namely, these programs include the Department of Labor’s registered apprentice program; Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act; and Perkins Career and Technical Education.

“We must also push for tax incentives for employers who hire apprentices,” Valentini added. “Furthermore, passage of the National Apprenticeship Act will reinforce the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program and ensure contractors will be able to recruit journey workers with well-rounded skills needed to succeed in the field.”

Of particular note was H.R. 6585, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) last December, that would amend the Higher Education Act to allow Pell Grants to support students enrolled in “high-quality, short-term education programs,” in other words, career and technical education programs for students considering opportunities in the skilled trades.

Currently, students in CTE programs generally cannot use Pell Grants to pay for their education costs due to specific eligibility requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education based on two reasons:

Accreditation requirements: Pell Grants can only be used for programs offered by accredited institutions. Some CTE programs, especially those offered by vocational schools or other non-degree-granting institutions, may not be accredited.

Program length and structure: Pell Grants typically require that programs be at least 15 weeks long and result in a degree or certificate to qualify for funding. Many CTE programs are shorter and may only lead to a certification or credential rather than a degree.

Other Presentations

The event also included presentations from former U.S. Congressmen Tom Davis (R-VA) and Martin Frost (D-TX). These two keynote speakers co-authored the book “The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis.” Their presentation offered an objective view of the political landscape in order to help contractors better understand the political dynamics driving the policy process on today’s Capitol Hill.

And it wouldn’t be a Legislative Conference without the Chuck and Mark Show, PHCC’s signature policy briefing tailored exclusively for PHCC members to help them prepare for their day of legislative meetings. Valentini was joined by Chuck White, PHCC’s vice president of regulatory affairs. (By the way, the Chuck and Mark Show will return on Oct. 8, 10-11 a.m., during the PHCC’s upcoming CONNECT in Birmingham, Alabama.)

After their remarks, the Chuck and Mark Show also hosted a panel discussions on policy and advocacy that included White offering the contractor perspective; Bradford White’s Bob Wolfer offering the manufacturer’s perspective, plus lobbyists from the commercial electrical contracting community and other construction stakeholders with extensive government backgrounds in the U.S. Congress and past presidential administrations.

New to the schedule this year was a session specifically geared towards PHCC state and local executives. “Advocacy Development and Enhancement for PHCC Chapter Executives” featured advice and best practices for state and local PHCC leaders looking to build an effective advocacy program within their chapter in order to make a real impact with legislators in their state capitols.

This year, PHCC’s Legislative Conference coincided with similar visits to Congress organized by the AHRI and HARDI. Members of all three trade groups gathered in the Cannon House Office Building for a joint reception. Members of Congress stopped by to network with members of the three associations.

Be sure to mark your calendars for May 20-21 for the 2025 PHCC Legislative Conference.