Tallahassee Sun

On January 27, 2025, Congressman Neal Dunn from Florida introduced a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to counteract a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. This rule involves the phasing out of hydrofluorocarbons in refrigeration systems nationwide.

Hydrofluorocarbons are crucial for manufacturing most refrigeration systems. The EPA's new regulation mandates grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses with refrigeration systems to replace their current units with potentially costly alternatives. This could pose significant financial challenges for small businesses.

Congressman Dunn expressed concerns about the impact of these regulations on American businesses. "The EPA clearly did not consider the undue burden they would place on American businesses when they finalized their sweeping refrigeration regulation," he stated. He emphasized that such regulations could increase operating costs for grocers and restaurants, which might lead to higher prices for consumers. "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."

Kevin McDaniel, who owns a Piggly Wiggly supermarket in Sneads, Florida, shared his apprehensions: "The new refrigeration regulations are just more examples of Washington bureaucrats overstepping their bounds." He highlighted that complying with these regulations would financially strain independent supermarkets like his and result in increased prices for customers. McDaniel expressed gratitude towards Rep. Dunn's efforts to protect local grocers from what he described as costly government overreach.

Chris Jones, chief government relations officer at NGA, echoed similar sentiments regarding the potential repercussions of these regulations on independent grocers. "The EPA's refrigeration regulations are a direct threat to independent grocers everywhere," he warned. Jones noted that these mandates could raise costs significantly in an industry already struggling with thin profit margins and possibly force community grocers to shut down. He acknowledged Congressman Dunn's support in preventing such adverse outcomes.