House Adds Momentum to Phase Down of Climate-harming HFCs

WASHINGTON (Jan. 8, 2020) – A bipartisan group House lawmakers have introduced the "American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act," which adds momentum to a bipartisan drive in Congress to phase down the use of climate-harming hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) and transition to safer alternatives for cooling systems.

Following is a statement from David Doniger, Senior Strategic Director, Climate & Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

"More than 30 years ago, we united to restore the Earth's protective ozone layer. Today a new, broad consensus is building to curb a potent driver of climate change, HFCs. A rarely-seen alliance—industry, manufacturers, environmentalists and lawmakers—is backing bipartisan bills in the House, and the Senate to transition from HFCs to climate safe alternatives. This is good for our children and our planet.”

The House HFC bill sponsors are Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY), Pete Olson (R-TX), Scott Peters (D-CA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY). Their bill is the “American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act” (HR5544). Thirty-two senators are cosponsors of the the Senate’s HFC bill, the “American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2019." More here.

On January 14, the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change will hold a hearing on the House HFC bill. "Promoting American Innovation and Jobs: Legislation to Phase Down Hydrofluorocarbons” will be held at 10:30 a.m. in 2322 Rayburn House Office Building. NRDC's Doniger is scheduled to testify. 

A blog by Doniger on HFCs and congressional efforts to reduce their use is here: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/david-doniger/bipartisan-hfc-bill-launched-house-matching-senate-plan

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at NRDC.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​