President Donald Trump announced last month that his administration would delay deadlines for grocery stores and air conditioning companies to reduce use of hydrofluorocarbons while exempting transport firms from repairing leaks in refrigeration equipment. The changes are projected to save businesses and families more than $2.4 billion.
The announcement came during a White House press conference where Trump was joined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and executives from major grocery chains. He claimed the reforms would deliver lower grocery prices and cheaper air conditioning with no environmental harm. Economists and former EPA officials have questioned those projections. Cornell University economist Chris Barrett said refrigerants represent only a tiny fraction of grocery costs and any savings would likely amount to at most a dollar or two per week for typical shoppers. The changes reverse enforcement steps taken under the 2020 American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which Trump signed during his first term to phase down HFCs. An internal EPA assessment indicated the rollbacks could increase emissions by 68 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2050. Industry groups and former officials note that companies have already invested billions in alternative refrigerants. No requirements exist for grocers to pass any cost reductions to consumers.
