Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today applauded bipartisan passage of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, affirming the U.S.’s commitment to phasing out use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by at least 85 percent over the next 15 years. The legislation passed the Senate in a 69-27 vote. HFCs, potent greenhouse gases commonly used for cooling and refrigeration, significantly contribute to global warming.
“The Kigali Amendment is a very big deal for the climate. This agreement to transition to next-generation refrigerants will be good for American manufacturers, help create well-paying jobs, and will prevent up to .5 degrees Celsius of planetary warming,” said Whitehouse. “Today’s vote was strongly bipartisan, showing what’s possible when American industry decides to put its weight behind a climate bill.”
The Kigali Amendment has broad support from the business community, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Chemistry Council, the Semiconductor Industry Association, and major retailers like Walmart.
Whitehouse was instrumental in negotiating passage of the American Manufacturing and Innovation (AIM) Act in 2020. The AIM Act directed the EPA to phase down production of HFCs consistent with the goals of the Kigali Amendment and transition to next-generation technologies.
Meaghan McCabe, (401) 453-5294
