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Author: Chris Czarnecki

Chris Czarnecki is ACCA's Director of Government Relations & Advocacy.

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States Taking Different Baby Steps Towards IRA Rebate Programs

Contractors excited to inform their customers about the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) $8.8 billion in rebates for residential energy efficiency improvements may have to wait a little longer as states take a deliberate approach towards developing programs that will vary greatly from state to state.   Learn more from one of the latest ACCA Now articles. 

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EPA Proposes One Year Sell-Through for Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems Under AIM Act

Contractors may get another year to sell certain Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems. Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule that would allow a one-year sell-through period for VRF systems using HFCs with a global warming potential (GWP) of 700 or greater. ACCA is tracking this proposed rule and its potential impact on contractors.

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Treasury Releases Final Rule on Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements for 179D, 45L

Changes are coming to prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for energy efficiency and clean energy projects.

Take Action to Oppose OSHA’s Walkaround Rule, Support H.J.Res. 147

Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) recently introduced H.J.Res. 147, a Congressional Review Act Resolution that would overturn OSHA’s recently finalized Walkaround […]

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Senate Passes Resolution to Overturn Non-Condensing Furnace Ban

A new Department of Energy (DOE) rule that would ban all non-condensing furnaces is one step closer to being overturned after a recent Senate vote. The DOE rule would have mandated that all new furnaces must convert at least 95% of fuel into heat. ACCA works hard to track important legislation and regulations that have the potential to impact HVACR businesses.

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Department of Labor Releases Final Rule on Overtime Threshold for Salaried Employees

On April 23, the Department of Labor released its final rule altering the overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This new rule introduces two-tiered increases to the minimum salary threshold for ‘white collar’ salaried employees. ACCA has been closely monitoring this rule and its impact on contractor members.

West Virginia Treasurer and Congressional Candidate Riley Moore Joins ACCA for Special Town Hall

How are elected leaders and candidates working on sensible changes that foster growth in vocational work? That was the topic of a special virtual town hall event ACCA hosted for members with West Virginia Treasurer and Congressional Candidate Riley Moore on April 2. Read more about this here.

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OSHA Finalizes Walkaround Rule, Allowing Non-Employees on Workplace Inspections

On March 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its final “Walkaround” Rule that will have major implications for workplace inspections and, potentially, labor relations in the industry. ACCA members can read more here.

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ACCA Submits Comments to Treasury Regarding Proposed Pin Requirement for 25C, Treasury Seeking Further Input from Contractors

Earlier this year, the Department of Treasury and IRS proposed regulations to implement product identification number (PIN) requirements for taxpayers who use the 25C residential energy efficiency tax credit. ACCA provided comments to Treasury regarding the proposed regulations, with a specific focus on several points. ACCA members can read more here.

Capitol Insights: New Federal Regulations Affecting Contractors: EPA, OSHA, and DOL

Find out what ACCA has been up to in the government relations realm in this edition of Capitol Insights.

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Senator Cruz and Representative Fischbach Introduce Resolutions to Overturn DOE’s Ban on Non-Condensing Furnaces

Last week, Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Michelle Fischbach introduced S.J.Res.58 and H.J.Res.111, which would overturn DOE’s rule prohibiting the sale of all non-condensing natural gas furnaces. ACCA members can read more here.

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House Passes Tax Legislation, Sending it to Senate

The House of Representatives passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024) by a margin of 357-70. The bill allows for the immediate expensing of research and experimentation expenditures, reinstates the less restrictive “EBIT” cap on interest expense deductions, and restores 100-percent bonus depreciation, which is set to expire. ACCA members can read more here.

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Treasury, IRS Propose PIN Requirement for 25C Residential Tax Credit, Seek Contractor Input

Last month, the Department of Treasury and IRS proposed regulations to implement product identification number (PIN) requirements for taxpayers who use the 25C residential energy efficiency tax credit. ACCA members can read more here.

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ACCA Comments on EPA’s HFC Refrigerant Management Rule Under the AIM Act

Recently, ACCA submitted formal comments to EPA regarding their proposed rulemaking on HFC management, including refrigerants widely used in the industry. Learn more in this ACCA member-only blog post. 

Navigating the Future: Understanding EPA’s HFC Proposed Refrigerant Management and Finalized Technology Transition Rules

The EPA recently introduced two major rules. The HFC Refrigerant Management Rule, still in the proposal stage, and the finalized Technology Transitions Rule were put forward under the AIM Act to reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85 percent over the next 15 years. Read more here.

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ACCA Raises Defense Production Act Concerns with Congress Regarding Heat Pumps

President Biden recently invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate the production of heat pumps to compel American households to switch from gas to electric heating. ACCA members can learn more here.

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ACCA Submits Comments Opposing Overtime and Walkaround Rules

Earlier this month, ACCA submitted formal comments to the Department of Labor and OSHA opposing the recently proposed overtime and ‘walkaround’ rules that raise significant concerns for employers. ACCA members can learn more here.

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Understanding COP

As HVAC technicians, we often delve into the world of heat pumps, but do we really understand the full potential of the Coefficient of Performance (COP)? It’s not just a number; it’s a key diagnostic tool that can boost our service quality, reduce customer callbacks, and ultimately increase our revenue. ACCA members can learn how here.

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Proposed “Walkaround” Rule from OSHA Would Allow Third Parties to Join Inspections

Recently, OSHA proposed a rule that would allow non-employees, including union officials and other individuals, to accompany federal safety inspectors during workplace inspections. Click here to learn more.

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Department of Labor Finalizes Rule Modernizing Davis-Bacon Act

Recently, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that enacted the largest changes to the Davis Bacon Act in several decades. The effort focused on ‘modernizing’ the regulations, allowing the department to more easily administer and enforce Davis-Bacon-related standards. Read more about the changes in this members-only blog.

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