FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Lake Coulson, vice president of government relations for the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC), has been named president of the National Alliance for Fair Competition (NAFC).

NAFC is a long-standing coalition of trade associations that has sought regulatory and/or legislative relief on issues involving utilities that wish to compete with the contracting industry. NAFC believes that utilities are free to enter the service industries, but should compete fairly, meaning that they should not be able to share costs or subsidize entrance into new affiliate operations with assets obtained as a government-sanctioned monopoly.

"The money sent to utilities in the form of the monthly utility bill should not be used to assist entrance into the service industries, and NAFC will seek legislative and regulatory intervention to prevent this from happening," Coulson said.

NAFC has long maintained that the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) should be preserved, but if it is to be repealed, amendments should be offered to preserve a marketplace for fair competition.

Currently, during congressional consideration of comprehensive energy legislation, NAFC members are developing strategies and working with various senators and congressmen to preserve and promote fair competition. Other trade association members of the coalition include the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA).

Publication date: 07/28/2003