Plastic pipe lobby loses state battles, now takes aim at Congress

In the pages of The Hill recently, a spokesperson for the Vinyl Institute complained that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is blocked from consideration, restrictions are imposed on it as a material choice, and that bidding is closed in the material procurement process by states. These allegations are false. PVC pipe, for which the Vinyl Institute lobbies, has had the opportunity to prove itself for many years. Concerns remain. Still, the plastic lobbyists persist, and have called their campaign one for “open competition.” That is the flip side of truth. 

What’s initially important to note is the quick debunking of the PVC lobby’s myth by the professional engineering and water industry – many of whom sent an open letter to House and Senate members the week of July Fourth – about competition. What these water professionals know, and the plastic industry wants neither the public nor their elected officials to become aware of, is that the market place for water pipes is already open. As it stands, when a community and its water professionals want to use a specific material for their water pipes they get to select it.

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