EPA ‘reconsiders’ refrigerant rule — but nothing has changed yet

The EPA on Wednesday announced what it’s calling the “biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history,” stating that it’s reconsidering dozens of existing rules to “roll back trillions in regulatory costs.”

Why it matters: One of the rules under review is the “technology transitions” rule, a key part of the HVAC industry’s refrigerant transition. 

What’s happening: The EPA specifically highlighted a section of the rule affecting supermarket refrigeration systems, claiming it “forces companies to use particular technologies for refrigerant systems that raise the cost of food at the grocery store.”

• Food industry groups previously sued the EPA over compliance deadlines for these systems, which the highlight is likely in reference to, according to HARDI. 

Zoom in: Beyond supermarkets, the technology transitions rule also impacts residential systems and currently classifies 410A condensing units as “components.”

• The classification effectively lets consumers replace these units indefinitely, creating a loophole that undermines the transition’s intentions. Catch up
• HARDI and AHRI petitioned the EPA to reconsider this part of the rule, and in June 2024, the EPA granted the petition and promised a proposed action, which has been drafted but awaits final approval, per AHRI.

HARDI called Wednesday’s announcement the “next step in the process of closing this loophole,” emphasizing its implications beyond just supermarkets. 

Of note: The EPA’s use of “reconsider” means that nothing has actually changed at this point. 

• The agency will have to follow a formal process to overhaul regulations, which could take months or even years. 

The big picture: The announcement marks the EPA’s most significant move so far under the new administration. 

• While it didn’t specifically mention residential systems beyond what HARDI noted, the degree of changes the administration is making suggests anything could be on the table going forward. 
• It is, however, important to note that Trump himself signed the law that kicked off the refrigerant transition in 2020.
• The EPA didn’t respond to a request for comment about additional changes.

What’s next: The agency will now start putting its plans into action. 

• “Critics may claim that these changes signal a retreat from environmental protection. Nothing could be further from the truth,” wrote EPA administrator Lee Zeldin. 
• “Under the Trump administration, the EPA’s core mission remains safeguarding human health and the environment. The difference lies in how we achieve these goals… through collaboration rather than regulation.”

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new information.