Cindy Carr cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, as a part of a broader omnibus package, Congress, led by Senator Tom Carper and Congressional Chair Frank Pallone and joined by Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi, will pass the American Energy Innovation Act with an amendment to phase out hydrofluorocarbons at a national level. The amendment requires EPA to implement an 85 percent phase down of the production and consumption of HFCs, so they reach approximately 15 percent of their 2011-2013 average annual levels by 2036. This reduction level aligns with the goal the Obama Administration agreed to in the 2016 Kigali Amendment.
Hydrofluorocarbons have become the fastest-growing greenhouse gases in the U.S. and are emitted annually at a rate exceeding the equivalent of 150 million metric tons of CO2 — about 40 coal-fired power plants.
In response, John Coequyt, Sierra Club’s Global Climate Policy Director, released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds Senator Carper, Congressman Pallone, and Congressional leaders for championing this important amendment that will help make necessary and long overdue cuts to U.S. HFC emissions. Transitioning away from the use of HFCs will not only avoid an estimated half degree centigrade of climate warming globally, but will spur the creation of safer technologies and the creation of thousands of new jobs. This bold action on climate by Senators Schumer, Carper and Chairman Pallone and Speaker Pelosi is exactly the type of leadership the U.S. needs to meet the challenge of the climate crisis.”
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Read the environmental coalition letter in support of the HFC amendment here.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.