Collins, Coons Lead Call for Limiting Potent Greenhouse Gas, Supporting U.S. Manufacturers
The bipartisan effort—joined by Senator King—would phase down hydrofluorocarbons used in HVAC and refrigeration, make American products more competitive
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Coons (D-DE) led a bipartisan letter – co-signed by Senator Angus King (I-ME) – to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to encourage ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
“Ratification of this amendment would help secure America’s place as a global leader in several manufacturing industries, and in turn give American products an advantage in the international marketplace,” the Senators wrote. “Failure to ratify this amendment could allow our competitors to reap these benefits and may lead other countries to place import restrictions on American products.”
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol would phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – a greenhouse gas with significant global warming potential. American companies and workers have demonstrated leadership in the transition to HFC substitutes and will have a competitive advantage if the United States ratifies the amendment. It is estimated that implementation of the Kigali Amendment will add 33,000 new jobs and $1.2 billion in direct output to the U.S. economy and generate a 25 percent increase in exports of American-made refrigerators, air conditioners, and other products.
In addition to Senators Collins, Coons, and King, the letter was co-signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). All co-signers of the letter are members of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.
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