The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute issued a letter to every U.S. senator in support of Gov. Rick Perry's nomination to be the next Secretary of Energy.

"During his tenure as Governor of Texas, Mr. Perry worked tirelessly to promote job growth and energy security within his state," reads the letter, signed by AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. "His understanding of the energy economy and its relationship to economic growth will serve the nation well as the next Secretary."

Yurek went on to state that because "many of the HVACR products and equipment manufactured by our member companies are regulated...it is important that the Secretary...understand the importance of ensuring that the regulatory process operates fairly and consistently for all stakeholders."

When Perry was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump, Yurek issued a statement in which he expressed his hope "... that Perry's nomination signals a more balanced approach to the process under which HVACR and water heating equipment is regulated," noting that "… the current regulatory process is 40 years old, and in need of significant reform."