Stefanik’s bill supports nationwide manufacturing of next-gen technologies

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) recently proposed bipartisan legislation to support America’s manufacturing of next-generation technologies, including refrigerants, solvents, fire suppressants, foam blowing agents, aerosols, and propellants. 

“I am proud to co-lead this legislation to bring jobs and innovation to our manufacturing and technology industries,” Rep. Stefanik said. “This legislation will not only create jobs and boost our manufacturing economy, but also phase out the use of environmentally harmful refrigerants.”

Rep. Stefanik on Jan. 7 cosponsored the American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act of 2020, H.R. 5544, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) to create jobs and drive innovation and economic growth in the United States by supporting and promoting the manufacturing of these next-generation technologies, according to the text of the bill.

If enacted, H.R. 5544 would implement a phasedown of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC) products by 85 percent over 15 years, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Stefanik’s office.

The bill also would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to implement an allowance and trading program to replace HFC products, and to establish standards governing the management of HFCs used as refrigerants, according to the summary, which noted that the new standards could create 33,000 new U.S. manufacturing jobs and expand U.S. exports in this sector by 25 percent.

“By keeping American technology and manufacturing at the forefront of this shift in the global market, we can continue our leadership in developing and exporting climate-friendly technologies to the world,” said Rep. Stefanik.