During the week of April 16, 17 contractor-members of the Greater Houston Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA-GH) spent a “lobby day” at the state capitol in Austin, TX. Their goal, according to Cher Coker of national ACCA, was to get an amendment included in Rep. Sylvester Turner’s (D-Houston District 139) House Bill 2107, which deals with the recovery and crediting of stranded utility costs.

“The proposed ACCA-GH amendment relates to protecting consumers and small business owners from unnecessary charges for Reliant Energy's name and logo changes,” reported Coker.

Each contractor met with their state representative, asking them to encourage Turner to include the amendment; those in Turner’s district met with him personally. According to Coker, the meeting was positive. Turner invited the contractors back for a press conference, asking them to bring with them copies of their utility bills and any bill stuffers.

Publication date: 04/30/2001