Carper Decries EPA’s Decision to Abandon Rule That Would Phase Out HFCs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear an appeal of a lower court decision regarding the regulation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Clean Air Act. The lower court overturned an EPA rule that would regulate hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a global warming-inducing substance that is used in refrigerators, air conditioner and foams.

“Leaders from the business world and environmental groups, along with bipartisan coalitions of lawmakers, recognize the value in phasing out HFCs,” said Senator Carper. “This is yet another decision by the Trump EPA to abandon a commonsense solution that is a win-win for our environment and for American jobs. In light of this misguided decision, I’ll continue fighting for passage of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, my bill with Senator Kennedy that would phase down HFCs contributing to human-caused climate change and provide certainty to American manufacturers working to advance and export new technologies.”

Despite the fact that the U.S. leads the world in production of next generation HFC-alternative technologies, recent court decisions have stalled the phasedown of HFCs and created uncertainty for American manufacturers, including the HFC and HFC-alternative industry, which employs 593,000 workers in the U.S. and generates annual sales of $206 billion. 

Earlier this year, Senators Carper and Kennedy introduced the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, legislation that would provide much-needed certainty for American manufacturers as the global community transitions to next generation HFCs, by giving EPA the authority to ensure a smooth transition away from HFCs.

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