BILL
SUBJECT
DATE
On behalf of more than twenty groups representing thousands of businesses and other organizations, we are writing to express support for S.9066 (Ryan)/A.9596 (Conrad), which would align New York's regulation of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) substances with the federal framework established under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act.
This legislation is essential - without it, New York residents and business owners will be forced to pay significant, unnecessary replacement costs under the state's recently adopted Part 494 - replacement costs that could even force some businesses to close.
The AIM Act mandates an 85 percent phase-down of the HFC production and consumption by 2036, creating a comprehensive national strategy to reduce these potent greenhouse gases. Aligning New York's regulations with this federal program will ensure continued progress toward emissions reductions, maintain regulatory consistency across states, and help keep New York affordable by avoiding unnecessary expenses to prematurely upgrade refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Uniform national standards are critical for industries that rely on refrigeration and air conditioning systems, including small businesses, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, and building operators. Divergent state-specific requirements can create compliance challenges, increase costs, and disrupt equipment transitions without delivering additional environmental benefits beyond those already achieved through the federal phasedown.
Importantly, this legislation does not weaken New York's climate commitments under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The bill preserves the state's authority to pursue broader greenhouse gas reduction strategies, including electrification, energy efficiency, and refrigerant reclamation programs, while ensuring that HFC regulations remain consistent with the national framework.
For these reasons, we respectfully urge your support for S.9066 (Ryan)/A.9596 (Conrad).
Thank you for your consideration.
Signed,
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
- Business Council of New York State
- Business Council of Westchester
- Capital Region Chamber
- CenterState CEO
- Food Alliance of NYS
- Giant Food Mart
- Greater Rochester Chamber
- Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI)
- MACY - The Manufacturers Association
- Market in the Square
- New York Restaurant Association
- NFIB
- Northeast Dairy Producers
- NY Fam Bureau
- NY Horticultural Society
- NY Association of Convenience Stores
- NYS Hospitality and Tourism Association
- Price Chopper
- Retail Council of NY