NACS, the National Grocers Association, and FMI—The Food Industry Association have voiced their support in a joint letter for a Congressional resolution introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) which seeks to overturn the EPA’s management rule on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
The regulation aims to phase down HFC use to reduce emissions and encourage alternative refrigerants. However, the letter raised concerns that the rule creates excessive oversight, unrealistic compliance timelines and significant financial strain on retailers.
“The EPA’s rule will drive up costs for refrigeration equipment, maintenance, and compliance—costs that will ultimately be passed on to consumers,” said Margaret Mannion, NACS manager of government affairs.
Among key concerns with the management rule, retailers’ existing refrigeration equipment would be required to include costly automatic leak detection (ALD) systems, despite the lack of federal standards and concerns about false alarms. Businesses would also be forced to repair refrigerant leaks within 30 days—a deadline that many retailers say is impractical and would necessitate frequent and expensive repairs, resulting in system downtime and significant additional costs. Retailers would also be required to use reclaimed HFCs to service refrigeration equipment, a mandate that would increase costs even further.
The retail groups warn that this government overreach, combined with already rising labor and utility costs, could lead to higher food prices or store closures.
“We urge Congress to help retailers and refrigerant end-users across the country by passing Rep. Dunn’s resolution to stop this rule in its tracks,” the group wrote.
The resolution now awaits further action in Congress.