WASHINGTON — Representatives from many of the industry’s manufacturers recently congregated in Washington, D.C., for two days of networking, lobbying, and discussing industry issues at this year’s annual Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Public Policy Symposium.
Attendees met with legislators and shared their thoughts and concerns on many topics, including regional standards legislation, Congression-al gridlock, tax incentives, climate change, energy efficiency, and regulatory burden on the industry.
The ongoing regional standards lawsuit proved to be a hot-button issue at the symposium, popping up repeatedly during presentations and in conversations and discussions. As this issue went to print, the court had yet to accept the settlement agreement that would eliminate the May 1 implementation date on which 90 percent AFUE nonweatherized furnaces would be mandated in the North.