Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
President Donald J. Trump has terminated the Biden Administration's refrigerant regulations, which imposed costly requirements on refrigerators and air conditioners. According to a White House fact sheet, these rules increased transportation and storage costs for refrigerated goods, leading to higher prices for everyday consumer items.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized revisions to the 2023 Technology Transitions Rule, extending compliance deadlines for the use of hydrofluorocarbons. This change enables businesses to access a wider range of affordable refrigerants. President Trump also proposed correcting the 2024 Emissions Reduction and Reclamation Rule, which set strict leak repair standards on large refrigeration systems and impacted consumers and small businesses.
The White House estimates these regulatory changes will save Americans a total of $2.4 billion. The changes to the Technology Transitions Rule are expected to protect more than 350,000 skilled American jobs and save over $900 million, including more than $800 million in supermarkets. The updated Emissions Reduction and Reclamation Rule could save refrigerated goods transporters up to $1.5 billion.
These rollbacks are projected to benefit supermarkets, home air conditioning systems, semiconductor manufacturing, and medical supply transportation by reducing operating costs and lowering prices for consumers nationwide.