Board removes glycol agenda item after no manufacturer follow-up; will monitor hydro-fracturing registration discussions

The Plumbing Piping Work Examining Board voted on April 23 to remove from its active agenda an ongoing item about approving glycol for geothermal well-drilling, citing repeated attempts to engage manufacturer representatives that produced no follow-up.

"We have not received any additional correspondence from them since their last correspondence and appearance at the board," a member said, and another member moved to remove the glycol item from future agendas until the manufacturers' representative reappears. The motion carried.

Separately, the board discussed a continuing effort to consider a limited registration or a restricted certificate for hydro-fracturing contractors who bring water tanks from out of state. The chair expressed concern about unknown contamination risks, including PFAS, and said the board wants to know "who's in the business and what they're doing and where." The board agreed to continue monitoring industry developments and gather more information before pursuing regulatory changes.

John Messner noted that previous application-review practices and memorandums had allowed for equivalent-experience assessments in limited cases, but members repeatedly cautioned that any deviation from statutory licensing timelines must be vetted with legal counsel before setting new precedent.