The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) announced that it joined industry leaders at the Massachusetts State House to advocate for the preservation of the state’s plumbing code.
IAPMO joined nearly 200 union plumbers, contractors, and other leaders before state legislators for the advocacy. IAPMO was represented by Peter Kelly, director of Field Services; Hugh Kelleher, former executive director of the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association; Mike Morris, partner at Tremont Strategies Group; Peter DeFreitas, director of New England Training and Education; and Jim Scarborough, director of Government Relations.
After opening remarks by Kelly, UA New England International Representative Harry Brett and MAPHCC’s Peter Leydon addressed the group. Participants then dispersed throughout the Capitol to conduct literature drops in every legislative office and visit the offices of their own state senators and representatives. Among the group’s objectives were:
- Support the Massachusetts Plumbing Code
- Support increased funding for the Division of Occupational Licensure
- Support for green hydrogen
- Support for building decarbonization and geothermal technology
- Support for HB280 (graywater recycling)
“It’s great to see representatives from across the plumbing industry come together to support these issues,” Kelly said.
The group met with representatives from the Division of Occupational Licensure and Rep. Tackey Chan (D-2nd Norfolk), the latter stressing how important it is for people to share with legislators their thoughts about issues if they want them to make better informed votes on those issues.