Trump’s EPA to roll back refrigerant rule for grocery stores in push it claims will lower prices

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Trump administration is set to roll back a Biden-era regulation that requires grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce the use of certain greenhouse gases in cooling equipment. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the move as a measure to lower costs for businesses and consumers, arguing that the previous rule imposed expensive restrictions on the types of refrigerants that could be used. The rollback aims to give businesses more flexibility in choosing refrigeration systems, potentially saving billions of dollars and easing grocery prices. The announcement comes ahead of a White House event where former President Donald Trump is expected to promote the changes, joined by executives from major grocery chains such as Kroger and Piggly Wiggly. The administration’s push to reduce regulatory burdens is framed as a response to growing voter concerns over inflation and the rising cost of living, particularly with inflation rates reaching 3.8% annually amid ongoing economic pressures including tariffs and high energy prices. This policy reversal marks a significant departure from a bipartisan 2020 law signed during Trump’s first term, which sought to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse gases linked to global warming. That earlier legislation had garnered broad support from both environmentalists and business groups, reflecting a rare consensus on the urgency of addressing climate change. The current EPA action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle climate-related regulations, with Zeldin describing the move as striking a “dagger through the heart of climate change religion.” Environmental advocates have criticized the rollback, warning that it could increase climate pollution and disrupt an ongoing industry transition to more environmentally friendly refrigerants. The debate highlights the tension between economic concerns and environmental priorities as the country approaches critical elections and grapples with how best to balance climate action with affordability.