US industry calls for support to phase down HFCs
10th October 2019
USA: Air conditioning and refrigeration industry representatives have urged the US Congress to support the phase down of HFC refrigerants.
In a letter to the leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 32 members of the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, has called for support for proposed federal legislation to establish a national structure for the phase-down of HFCs.
“We believe legislative action will provide regulatory certainty for US businesses, and secure a position of strength for American companies,” the groups write, claiming that it will create jobs and stimulate further investment in the US economy.
The letter notes that US companies that produce and use fluorocarbons “have been preparing for a transition from HFCs for more than a decade, investing billions in R&D to be the first to bring to market next generation fluorocarbon products and equipment”. It expresses concern that, while American companies have led the world in fluorocarbon technology development, that leadership is “jeopardised” by the lack of a federal policy for HFCs.
It also warns that US inaction would leave the market open to “foreign competitors” to fill the technology void and displace American companies in a global fluorocarbon market expected to reach $1 trillion in size.
“Federal legislation phasing-down HFCs represents a chance to put America first, and to keep American workers at the forefront of this important global industry,” the letter states, noting that, “A recent industry economic study showed that a new federal standard for the phase-down of HFCs would create 33,000 new US manufacturing jobs, add $12.5bn per year to the US economy, and expand US exports in this sector by 25%. Failure to do so will cost US businesses and jobs.”
In addition to refrigerant manufacturers and suppliers Chemours, Honeywell, A-Gas, Arkema, National and AGC, companies signing the document include a number of global manufacturers such as Danfoss, Daikin, Carrier, Hussmann, Emerson, Johnson Controls and Lennox.
Related stories:
US industry urges Trump to back Kigali – 26 May 2018
USA: Thirty-two leading US air conditioning and refrigeration companies have signed a letter to president Trump urging him to ratify the Kigali Amendment. Read more…
Kigali vital for US jobs and economy – 9 May 2018
USA: US ratification of the Kigali Amendment has been described as good for American jobs and the economy, and crucial to maintain America’s global leadership. Read more…
US expects $12.5bn Kigali trade boost – 4 May 2018
USA: The US air conditioning and refrigeration industry claims that the country’s failure to ratify the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs will lead to job losses and a decline in US exports. Read more…
Trump seeks assurance of Kigali benefits – 6 February 2018
USA: A top White House official has said the Trump administration will need concrete evidence of its economic benefits before backing the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFC refrigerants. Read more…
