Replacing HFCs with safer refrigerants

Come to order I recognize myself for five minutes for the purposes of an opening statement today. The subcommittee will examine HR 50 - 540 - four, the American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act of 2020, which was introduced last week by Representative Olson Peter's Stefanik and myself. Hydro Floral carbons, commonly known as H F C S, are a class of chemicals primarily used as refrigerants and heating ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. HFC gained widespread use in the 19 nineties as replacements for ozone depleting And A CFC, but HFC have their own challenges, which is why a global transition to the next generation of refrigerant technologies is currently underway. The United States Manufacturers are already investing billions of dollars in the research and development of new products and equipment to maintain their competitiveness. In fact, American companies are global leaders in the development of HFC substitutes. One such class of substitutes are known as HO HO are more. Mentally friendly, but even more importantly, American manufacturers stand to gain the most in the global marketplace by leaning into this transition, according to a study by the Enter industry. forecasting at the University of Maryland, the HFC phase down will drive the creation of some 30 - 3000 New United States manufacturing jobs to a 12 point, five billion more in direct manufacturing 12 point, five billion dollars more in direct manufacturing output annually a Improvement in equipment and chemicals and a 20 - five percent growth of the US share of the global export market. These projected benefits are not small, just as important. American businesses recognize that any lagging on our part will open the door for China and other Nations to erode our existing global market share. This bill supports the industry in anticipating such competition and would help propel America's industry. I would like to explain briefly a few aspects of this bipartisan proposal. First, we're This bill would phase down the production and consumption of HFC over 15 years, limiting the production and consumption to 15 percent of baseline levels beginning in 2030. - six. The benefits include certainty for manufacturers and consumers and in orderly and predictable transition to next generation technologies, while still allowing for exceptions for essential uses for which no substitute is available. The legislation is modeled on title six of the Clean Air Enacted in 1990, with 401 bipartisan votes in the House and proved enabled vehicle to foster an orderly market-based phase down of HFC predecessors, In fact that earlier transition away from ozone, depleting substances was successful at an even lower cost than originally anticipated. Second. This bill will not force consumers to replace equipment before the end of its useful life. Today. Some older equipment is still using CFCs. this framework will. That consumers are protected during the transition. These benefits are why phase down of this kind has received incredibly broad support. I have served on the subcommittee for seven years. I cannot remember a time when we had the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Resources Defense Council in complete agreement on anything let alone granting new targeted authority to EPA companion legislation has received significant bipartisan support in the Senate with 30. Coast Sponsors half Republican and half Democratic on Capitol Hill, The phrase common sense legislation gets thrown around a lot, but this bill truly fits that description. It addresses an environmental concern in a manner that will spur innovation and make US manufacturers more globally. competitive. This bill presents us a bipartisan opportunity to ensure the next generation of refrigerants are American made, and that our constituents experienced significant economic and job benefits that come from American led innovation. I wanna thank mister Olsen. Leading this effort and I yield the remainder of my time to him. Thank you Chairman Taco, the Republican members and members of the subcommittee. Let me wave on this morning. This hearing is about HR 50 - 540 - four. The So-called, A, This is a rare bipartisan bill that was meant to support by normal combatants like the ATR FreedomWorks. The NRDC, the appreciate the hard work done by Chairman Taco 7000 people back home working for Decon living in Katy Texas in Texas 20. - two appreciate your hard work Appreciate all his hard work to get this bill where it is today. I'm proud of HR 50 - 540 - Four. The common sense approach that will create American jobs expand exports and encourage more investment in our economy. New jobs About 30 - 3000 are expected. We'll keep jobs here in America. they may go overseas. This bill provides a clear deliberate framework transition American workers and American consumers first and ensures we keep the doors open to foreign markets that have been open because of our new competitive chairman. My colleagues, 30 - three. I thank the chairman. I thank the ranking member. I'm proud to support this bill yield back the Gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes mister Shimkus ranking member of the subcommittee on environment and climate change for five minutes for his.