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US industry presses Senate on Kigali ratification

USA: The US Chamber of Commerce, backed by nine other industry bodies, has sent a letter to members of the Senate, urging “expeditious” ratification of the Kigali Amendment.

While 137 signatories of the Montreal Protocol have already ratified the Amendment to phase down HFC refrigerants, the world’s largest economy is yet to ratify, despite being approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in May. 

The signatories to the letter, dated September 7, urge the expeditious ratification of the Amendment during the current congress, which ends on January 3, 2023.

The industry bodies, which include the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)`and Heating, Air conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), insist that the Kigali Amendment is “essential to provide access to international markets and level the playing field for leading US manufacturers”.  

“The US would join the global community and reap the full economic and environmental benefits associated with phasing down the production and use of HFCs,” the letter states.

“Ratification would safeguard the competitiveness of American manufacturers and showcase American climate leadership. The Kigali Amendment would enhance the significant economic opportunities created by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act,” it insists.

The signatories of the letter are: 

Alliance for Automotive Innovation
Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
American Chemistry Council
Air conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Heating, Air conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International
National Association of Manufacturers
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association
Semiconductor Industry Association
US Chamber of Commerce.

Related stories:

US industry urges prompt action on Kigali – 19 June 2022
USA: The AHRI and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy have written a joint letter to the leaders of the US Senate urging prompt action to ratify the Kigali Amendment. Read more…

Senate committee nod for Kigali Amendment – 6 May 2022
USA: Industry groups have applauded Wednesday’s recommendation by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approval of the Kigali Amendment by the full US Senate. Read more…

Bipartisan backing for Kigali Amendment – 29 April 2022
USA: A bipartisan group of seven US senators have written to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to encourage ratification of the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs. Read more…

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