WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) directing Congress to nullify a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule relating to the phasing out of hydrofluorocarbons used in refrigeration systems across the country.

Hydrofluorocarbons are essential to the manufacture of most refrigeration systems. The EPA’s new rule on hydrofluorocarbons would require grocery stores, restaurants, and any business operating a refrigeration system to replace their existing units with new systems that may be prohibitively expensive for small businesses.

“The EPA clearly did not consider the undue burden they would place on American businesses when they finalized their sweeping refrigeration regulation,” said Congressman Dunn. “American grocers and restaurants do not need government regulators in their kitchens and storerooms, driving up operating costs and forcing them to pass that cost on to the consumer. The Congressional Review Act is designed to address egregious over-regulation such as this, and I look forward to stopping bureaucratic red tape from further raising food prices for American families.”

"The new refrigeration regulations are just more examples of Washington bureaucrats overstepping their bounds," said Kevin McDaniel, an owner/operator of a Piggly Wiggly supermarket in Sneads, Florida. "Complying with these financially burdensome refrigeration regulations will only hurt independent supermarkets like mine and drive-up prices for our customers. As his constituent and local grocer, I'm very thankful for Rep. Dunn's resolution to protect us from costly government overreach."

"The EPA's refrigeration regulations are a direct threat to independent grocers everywhere," warned Chris Jones, NGA's chief government relations officer. "These mandates will significantly increase costs for an industry that already operates on razor-thin margins, which will lead to higher food prices and, in the worst-case scenario, force community grocers to close. NGA appreciates Congressman Dunn's efforts to support our country's grocers and help prevent these terrible outcomes."

Read the full text of the resolution here.