December 6, 2012
Contact: Francis Dietz, Vice President, Public Affairs
Direct: 703.600.0355

Arlington, VA — The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today applauded the Senate for passing H.R. 6582, the American Energy Manufacturers Technical Corrections Act, in an exemplary display of bipartisanship that follows Tuesday’s passage of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. AHRI and its member companies have worked diligently for months to ensure passage of the bill, which has been an industry priority this Congressional session.

"Despite the tension in Congress and the difficulty of getting much legislation passed, AHRI and its members were able to steer this bill to its successful conclusion," said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. “We are very grateful to Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Ranking member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), along with the tireless efforts of their staff, in paving the way for passage of this bill.”

The bill will create much needed stability and regulatory certainty for manufacturers while positively impacting thousands of workers across the United States. Yurek also stressed that without the leadership and dogged determination of Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Bob Corker (R-TN), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Scott Brown (R-MA), David Vitter (R-LA), and Claire McCaskill (D-MO), in ensuring passage of the bill, manufacturing jobs in this country may have been lost.

H.R.6582 would also expedite the creation of a uniform efficiency descriptor and accompanying test procedure for water heaters one year from the date of passage. Given the overwhelming support for the bill in the House and Senate, the President can be expected to sign it when it reaches his desk.

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About AHRI
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s 309 member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world.