2023 AHRI State Summit

Renaissance Albany Hotel, Albany, NY | April 25-26

Let Your Voice be Heard!

The two-day AHRI State Summit, on April 25 and 26, presents an opportunity for our members to communicate directly with key New York policymakers about the positive impact of our industry on jobs and the economy, energy efficiency innovation, health and safety, the environment, and the climate. As New York legislators continue to develop and advance their energy and environmental policies, they need to hear directly from AHRI members about the impact of their policy decisions on the HVACR and water heating industry and how existing and emerging technologies can help New York achieve its ambitious climate goals.

In addition to meetings with New York legislators and regulators, the Summit will include presentations from key regulatory agencies, legislative offices, business organizations, and environmental NGOs; conversations with policymakers on high priority issues; updates on AHRI’s state legislative and regulatory activities; and opportunities to network with colleagues and conference participants. See additional meeting details and registration information below. Please plan to contribute your company’s voice to our state advocacy efforts by attending the 2023 State Summit!

Event Detail

2023 AHRI State Summit

April 25-26, 2023

Renaissance Albany Hotel, Albany, NY

Meeting Highlights

Tuesday, April 25

Business in New York: What’s on the Horizon?

What are the most significant issues facing companies doing business in New York? This panel of state business and manufacturing representatives will discuss the agencies and legislation they are following closely this year and their impact on New York businesses.

Moderator: Francis Dietz, AHRI Vice President, Public Affairs

Confirmed Speakers:

Ken Pokalsky, Vice President, Business Council of New York State, Inc. Representative
Randy Wolken, President & CEO, Manufacturers Alliance of New York State, Inc. (The Alliance)

Understanding New York’s Plastic and EPR Legislation

Looking for details about New York’s plastics and extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation? Lobbyists and legislators will discuss the current legislative process, key elements of the policy, and prospects for passage in this session.

Moderator: Frank Nemeth, Partner, Hill, Gosdeck, McGraw and Nemeth

Confirmed Speakers:

Todd Kaminsky, Shareholder, Greenburg Traurig
Rachel May, NYS Senator, 48^th District

Plastics & EPR: A Panel Discussion

Stakeholders will discuss the current legislative effort on plastics and EPR and the role of each of their organizations in the ongoing negotiations.

Moderator: Samantha Slater, AHRI Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Confirmed Speakers:

Ryan Carson, Solid Waste Management Campaign Coordinator, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)
Craig Cookson, Senior Director for Plastics Sustainability, American Chemistry Council
Anne Rabe, Environmental Policy Director, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)

Decarbonization: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Stakeholders, including environmental NGOs, will discuss their vision for established decarbonization policies and those under consideration in New York.

Moderator: Kyle Bergeron, Regulatory Engineer, AHRI Regulatory Affairs

Confirmed Speakers:

Lisa Dix, New York Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition
Rich Kassel, Partner, AJW
John Mandyck, CEO, Urban Green Council

Industry Impact of State-Wide Building Decarbonization

A panel of industry and business community representatives will discuss the impact of state and local decarbonization policies on the future of business and manufacturing in New York State.

Moderator: Matthew Thornblad, Senior Public Policy and Communications Director, Rheem

Confirmed Speakers:

Erin Cosgrove, Public Policy Manager, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
Brian Gemmell, COO, New York Electric at National Grid

NYS New Right-To-Repair Law and Implementation

Stakeholders will discuss the details and implementation of New York’s new Right-to-Repair law.

Moderator: Chris Bresee, Manager, Government Affairs, AHRI

Confirmed Speaker:

Gay Gordon-Byrne, Executive Director, The Repair Association
Patricia Fahy, New York State Assemblymember, 109^th District

Energy Efficiency Panel

NYSERDA staff and stakeholders will discuss the details of New York State’s new law that establishes advanced building codes and increases the energy efficiency standards of appliances and equipment, and how the implementation is progressing.

Moderator: Laura Petrillo-Groh, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, AHRI

Confirmed Speakers:

Conor Bambrick, Director of Climate Policy, Environmental Advocates NY
Chris Corcoran, Team Lead – Codes, Products, and Standards, NYSERDA
Samantha Wilt, Senior Policy Analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council

Group Networking Reception

Please plan to attend this networking event to further engage with your fellow industry colleagues.

Wednesday, April 26

PFAS Policy in the Northeast

Regulators and stakeholders from states in the northeast, including New York and Maine, will discuss ongoing legislation and regulation of PFAS.

Moderator: Garrett Mason, Partner, Dirigo Partners

Confirmed Speakers:

Kate Donovan, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
Harold “Trey” Stewart III, Maine State Senator, District 2
Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director, Clean & Healthy New York

A Refrigerant-Focused Fireside Chat

Regulators and industry will discuss the current state of HFC regulation in New York and issues related to the upcoming transition.

The New York Legislature: 2023 Legislative Priorities

Members of the New York Legislature will discuss Assembly and Senate activities and plans regarding issues of importance in the HVACR and water heating industry.

Moderator: Samantha Slater, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, AHRI

Speakers:
• Invited New York Legislators

AHRI Coordinated Meetings with New York State Legislature

Advocating for your company’s interests and building relationships with elected officials is crucial to a successful government relations strategy. AHRI members are encouraged to join meetings arranged by AHRI staff with offices of key members of the New York State Legislature.

Off-Site Social Event

Please plan to attend this networking event to further engage with your fellow industry colleagues.

Event Information

AHRI member companies and representatives from the wider HVACR industry interested in these policy matters are encouraged to join AHRI staff for this event.

Keynote Speakers

Gavin J. Donohue
President and CEO
IPPNY

Doreen Harris
President and CEO
NYSERDA

Talk to the News & Events Team

Reach out to our team with your questions.