Tax credits and lead rule top WDMA agenda

The potential restoration and extension of 25c tax credits for energy-efficient products and the containment of lead-paint regulations topped the legislative priority list for the Window & Door Manufacturers Association as its members gathered in Washington, D.C., for its second annual legislative conference.

Jeff Inks, WDMA's VP of code and regulatory affairs, urged attendees to simply ask their Congressreps to help with the lead remodeling, repair and painting rules by telling the Environmental Protection Agency not to “make a bad regulation worse.” EPA is currently considering expanding the regulations to add clearance or post-job lead testing where the rules are already in effect in the residential market, and expanding the current lead paint requirements to commercial and institutional buildings, he explained.

“The bottom line is we’re fundamentally in support of regulations that protect children,” Inks stated. In speaking to representatives, WDMA members should note they are not in opposition to the initial legislation that was passed in 2008. “The original rules were supposed to protect women who were pregnant and children under six. As an industry, we were okay with that,” Inks said. "EPA has gone well beyond that,” according to a March 15 Window & Door report

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