California Legislature Approves Bill Reducing Super-polluting HFCs in Major Cooling Systems

SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature today approved the California Cooling Act, which will lead to the replacement of super-polluting hydrofluorocarbons with climate friendlier coolants in new refrigerators, air conditioners, and other products, and in supermarkets and other large buildings. The bill sent to Gov. Jerry Brown also will help keep in place federal standards phasing down harmful HFCs under challenge in Washington.

The following is a statement from David Doniger, Senior Strategic Director of the Climate & Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“California is demonstrating, once again, commendable leadership in the fight against climate change. This bill will curb super-polluting HFCs in some of the largest refrigerating systems, and it fills a gap left by an adverse federal court decision that blocked Environmental Protection Agency rules to phase down HFCs—a decision now on appeal to the Supreme Court. This smart move will help our climate, health and economy.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​