FALLS CHURCH, Va. — In response to the Clean Water Act Rule recently finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association (PHCC) expressed concerns about the rule’s anticipated content and the flawed regulatory process behind it.

PHCC, and other groups in the construction arena, claims the rule improperly aims to define waters protected under the Clean Water Act. The groups are concerned that this expanded federal jurisdiction could negatively affect construction projects. Last year, PHCC and other industry representatives submitted comments to the EPA requesting the rule be withdrawn. Just this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed PHCC-supported legislation requiring the EPA to withdraw its rule.

“This is a prime example of the power and danger of the regulatory process,” said Kevin Tindall, president, PHCC. “And, as we head into summer and closer to an election year, we’ll see more and more of these types of actions that are outside of the legislative process,” he warned PHCC members.