The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute has come out in support of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2018. The bill was introduced by Senators John Kennedy (R-LA), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Chris Coons (D-DE).

According to AHRI, the organization has a keen interest in ensuring that the coming global phase down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants is accomplished in a smooth, orderly manner with as little impact on manufacturers and consumers as possible. The institute also said the bill will help accomplish that goal by establishing a pathway for U.S. implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol that establishes a framework for the global phase down.

AHRI officials said the bill would:

• Clarify the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in regulating HFC refrigerants and provide a market-friendly approach to rulemaking that will help facilitate a cost-effective transition to alternative refrigerants while maintaining or enhancing the performance of the equipment that uses the new refrigerants.

• Enable the EPA to establish an HFC phase down mechanism using a cap-and-allocation system that encourages innovation and the commercialization of alternative refrigerants, preserving American technology leadership.

• Provide the predictability needed for American private sector investment in HFC replacements.

"We applaud the introduction of this bill and thank these Senators for their leadership," said AHRI president and CEO Stephen Yurek. "Enhancing U.S. technological leadership and supporting U.S. industry and the jobs it creates and sustains are key components of our support for the Kigali Amendment, and this bill will create a certain pathway for implementation of Kigali if, as we hope, it is submitted to and ratified by the Senate."