Trump Administration Reverses Course on HFC Phaseout Regulations

Sun Dec 21 2025 05:51:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant shift, the Trump administration proposes to roll back regulations on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), intensifying conflicts with environmentalists while claiming to support business interests. Five years after the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing Act aimed to mitigate climate damage, the proposed changes threaten to disrupt progress in reducing global warming.

The Trump administration is reversing its stance on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by planning to relax key regulations on their phasedown, which environmental groups warn could exacerbate climate pollution. Initially praised by various stakeholders, including business groups, the original law aimed to phase out these potent greenhouse gases. The proposed rule changes may undermine decades of progress in addressing climate change and confuse market dynamics already adjusted to previous regulatory frameworks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Near the end of his first term, President Donald Trump signed a law aimed at reducing harmful pollutants emitted by refrigerators and air conditioners, fostering rare bipartisan support. However, in a dramatic about-face, the second Trump administration now plans to ease regulations governing these pollutants, particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are significantly more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of their climate impact.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing to roll back the federal rules requiring businesses to cut down on the emission of these powerful greenhouse gases. This shift represents a stark departure from the earlier consensus on the urgency of phasing out HFCs, recognized as a major driver of climate change.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has claimed that the current regulations stifle business interests by restricting access to essential refrigerants. Zeldin emphasized, We are putting a 'dagger through the heart of climate change religion' as the administration aims to address concerns from refrigeration companies that struggle with regulatory constraints.

Environmentalists are bracing for the consequences, suggesting that easing HFC regulations could amplify climate pollution and stall the industry’s transition to less harmful alternatives. Critics argue that delaying this transition could lead to dire global warming impacts, contradicting the long-term goals laid out in previous legislation.

The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 had laid the groundwork for phasing out HFCs as part of the U.S.'s obligations under the international Kigali Amendment to reduce substances harmful to the ozone layer. Industry groups initially celebrated the legislation, hoping it would encourage innovation and job growth in environmentally friendly technologies.

The new proposal to revise these regulations has raised concerns within the manufacturing sector that previous investments in sustainable refrigerants could be rendered obsolete. Notably, stakeholders from the chemical industry assert that changes at this stage could inject substantial uncertainty into the market, disadvantaging U.S. companies that have already invested in compliance.

While Zeldin and the administration tout the plan as a win for business, many fear it will complicate an already fragmented regulatory landscape, implying potential conflicts with similar state requirements geared towards environmental protection. Critics within the environmental community caution that the rollback of regulations not only risks long-term climate goals but could also lead to higher costs for consumers in the long run.