It has always been my belief that if we could unite the industry, we could work together to develop international swimming pool and spa codes that would protect and enhance the industry, and create consumer rebate programs to help pool owners cover part of their investment. This has not been an easy task as the auto cover industry has experienced over 25 years of bad blood, heavy competition and multiple law suits filed between the companies. But I had hope, and a belief that time could heal all wounds and we could put aside the past and come together as a united force for change.

In early 2015 I reported that 4 of the 5 manufacturers had united under the APSP banner and gone to Washington DC to meet with our Senators and Congressmen to get their support as we approached the EPA. Our first year goal was to take the support we gathered from our senators and approach the EPA to see if we could get certified by them for their WaterSense program. If we can get the EPA to certify automatic pool covers over all other cover types, we have a good shot of taking that certification to water and power companies and getting consumer rebates.

The EPA did put us on their docket, and asked us to provide reports, studies and backing data so they could start the evaluation process and show that there is in fact a definite differentiation between auto covers and all other cover types.. We spent the rest of 2015 obtaining the required data and we were also able to meet with and show what we had accomplished so far with the 5^th and final manufacturer that was still not part of our group.

I am happy to report that on March 14^th, 2016, History was made as all 5 major US manufacturers of automatic swimming pool covers came together in Washington DC as a single unified group. Together with the Government Relations attorney from the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) and our professional industry Lobbyist from WGW, we met with the EPA to deliver our data and the just released study. We also met with and the congressmen and senators from our home states, reported what we had worked on in 2015 and that we were on the EPA’s docket, but this time…we asked for their assistance.

We were greeted warmly and were recognized by the senior staff members who had met with us the year before. We got the distinct feeling we were no longer a long shot or an unknown; we had survived and actually gotten in the EPA queue, provided a study and other needed documents without the use of their help or EPA manpower or taxpayer money. And, unlike last year, we were now had 100% industry participation and true staying power. According to all the senators, staffers and the EPA, having 100% of the industry was the most impressive feat alone was impressive to them.

This year EVERY office we talked with was on board to help. They are willing to write letters and make phone calls…and even more impressive and amazing…several are working together to put language into the EPA’s budget asking the EPA to consider approving our project!