WASHINGTON (September 23, 2021)—The Biden administration finalized a rule to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are super-pollutants used in refrigeration and air conditioning appliances and a major contributor to global warming. 

The rule implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) follows the passage of the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act last year. The EPA will establish a program that phases down the production and consumption of HFCs 85% below baseline levels within the next 15 years. 

Following is a statement from Debbie Weyl, Deputy Director, WRI United States:

“The Biden administration’s new rules to phase down hydrofluorocarbons could not come soon enough. Hydroflourocarbons are thousands of times more potent as a warming agent than carbon dioxide, so replacing these with more climate-friendly alternatives is essential for the United States to achieving its climate goals. 

“These new rules bring U.S. policy in line with the requirements of the Kigali Amendment, an international agreement joined by more than 120 countries to reduce the consumption and use of these powerful pollutants. The phasedown is supported by leading American businesses and could result in thousands of good-paying jobs and enhance the competitiveness of American industry on the global stage.

“If all countries do their part to successfully phase-down hydroflourocarbons, these efforts alone could avoid up to half a degree Celsius of global warming by the end of this century.”