Ohio PHC Contractor Volume 2019 Issue 3

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
ACCA HAS YOUR BACK!
By Todd Washam, Vice President of Public Policy and Industry Relations
The term lobbyist has a negative connotation because
of its association with the “swamp” in Washington,
D.C., but, just about every profession and industry
has people involved in lobbying.
Teachers, firearm enthusiasts, public transit
advocates, motorcyclists, and airplane owners and pilots, are
a few examples of groups who educate members of Congress
about their professions or hobbies. HVACR contractors also have
a national association and lobbying team in Washington, D.C. to
support their businesses.
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is the
national association for contractors dedicated to addressing
the specific challenges and opportunities that contractors face
every day; advancing professionalism in the industry, bring more
people skilled trades, reducing regulations, and reducing tax
burdens on small businesses.
ACCA has had tremendous success fighting for contractors and
our victories and continuous efforts on contractors’ behalf will
help contractors save money, make money, and mitigate risk.
But, these wins and ongoing efforts are not possible without the
collective voice of ACCA’s members.
One of ACCA’s biggest wins was inclusion of the HEAT Act in
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The HEAT Act reduced commercial
HVAC equipment expensing from 39 years to immediate
expensing. In 2004, ACCA member Phil Forner of Allendale,
Michigan helped get this legislation introduced by then-
Congressman, Pete Hoekstra.
For thirteen years, ACCA lobbied Congress to pass this
legislation, which originally would have reduced commercial
equipment expensing to fifteen years. Finally, in 2017, ACCA
found a path to victory and helped get this legislation across the
finish line.
ACCA Board Member, Brian Stack, of Stack Heating & Cooling in
Avon, Ohio, had a big impact on these efforts because he flew to
Washington, D.C. to meet with his Senators and Congressman one
month before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed by President
Trump. If not for his work, and that of ACCA’s entire board of
directors, Congress would not have known how important the
HEAT Act was to HVACR contractors.
On the regulatory front, ACCA has helped stop OSHA’s confined
space rule and the previous Administration’s overtime rule. These
regulations would have had burdensome and lasting impacts on
contracting businesses, including increased costs that would
have been passed on to consumers.
Currently, ACCA is working to provide for a safe refrigerant
transition as the global marketplace phases out HFC refrigerants
(R410A). ACCA is working with Congress to ensure that the
forthcoming phaseout, which could lead to the introduction of
ASHRAE designated A2L mildly flammable refrigerants, is
IF CONGRESS AND THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DON’T
TAKE ACTION, THEN OUR
INDUSTRY WILL BE LEFT WITH A
PATCHWORK OF HFC PHASEOUT
SCHEDULES, SAFETY AND
TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND
REGULATORY PROCEDURES.
done slowly and methodically so contractors can adapt to these
changes safely. ACCA has contributed to the legislative efforts
by ensuring that safety, training, and certifications are a priority
as Congress considers next steps.
If Congress and the federal government don’t take action, then
our industry will be left with a patchwork of HFC phaseout
schedules, safety and training programs, and regulatory
procedures. This patchwork will be led by California and what
happens in California is unlikely to be good for contractors in
Ohio.
Without ACCA taking action on this issue, ACCA would not be
able to reduce the risks associated with the handling of these
new refrigerants. Professional contractors and their well-trained
technicians and installers will be able to adapt to these changes
safely, but without incorporating safety and training programs,
the unscrupulous actors in the industry could present dangers to
professional contractors. ACCA’s goal is to reduce opportunities
for unqualified people to purchase and handle these products
which will help reduce risk to the professionals.
ACCA is the only association, organization, group, or contractor
network that is dedicated to protecting your interests from
government overreach and promoting your interests in
Washington, D.C. Without ACCA fighting on your behalf, there
is no guarantee that Congress won’t pass legislation that could
negatively impact your business. Without ACCA, contractors
won’t have anyone working to stop OSHA, the Department of
Labor, and other regulatory agencies.
ACCA has made a difference in just about every professional
contractors’ business and ACCA continues to watch out for
contractors’ interests. But, more contractors across Ohio need to
join ACCA and speak up so ACCA can continue to be a force
multiplier. As an ACCA member you can be assured that you
have an entire team working on your behalf and on behalf of the
industry that supports your family, hobbies, and livelihood.
VOLUME 2019, ISSUE 3 • OHIO PHC CONTRACTOR 13