HVAC market group the PHCC is among those criticizing a proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to expand federal oversight of water and land use.

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association has added its voice to comments from 375 other groups asking the proposal be killed.

“Although PHCC wholeheartedly supports the protection of our nation’s water and land resources, we see many flaws in this shortsighted regulation,” said PHCC President Kevin Tindall. “This is an effort by the EPA to redefine water in America … to control waters that were never before regulated as waters of the United States, such as waters in all floodplains, banks and man-made trenches and ditches.

“For PHCC’s members – and many others involved in the construction arena – the proposed rule would require obtaining more permits and environmental reviews, which could create project delays or even kill a project, and would result in increased project costs,” Tindall added.