Comer Probes EPA Rule Disrupting HVAC Industry and Jeopardizing American Jobs

Requests information and staff-level briefing related to EPA’s final-rule banning non-refillable cylinders

WASHINGTON — House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is raising concerns about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule banning non-refillable cylinders used to store and transport chemicals vital to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning and its impact on the supply chain and American jobs. In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Chairman Comer requests documents and communications, as well as a staff-level briefing from EPA, regarding its actions in this matter.

“The Committee on Oversight and Accountability writes regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) October 5, 2021 final rule banning non-refillable cylinders used to store and transport chemicals vital to the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry. By banning this particular cylinder in an effort to phasedown the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the EPA surpasses its jurisdictional authority, creates unnecessary industrial disruptions, and jeopardizes good-paying jobs,” said Chairman Comer. 

The Committee questions whether the EPA is ignoring stakeholder concerns related to the rule.  One such example is a Petition for Partial Administrative Reconsideration of the final rule, filed by Worthington Industries, which included a proposal for a new prototype cylinder. Since November 10, 2021, when Worthington Industries filed the petition, over 400 days have passed, and they have received no substantive response from the EPA, fostering uncertainty for the future of their employees and manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Ohio.  

“EPA’s nonresponse endangers jobs, decreases American business competitiveness, and increases reliance on foreign countries,” wrote Chairman Comer. “Because Worthington Industries is the only domestic manufacturer of the non-refillable cylinder, the EPA’s decision to ban non-refillable cylinders would make the United States exclusively reliant on foreign production capacity.” 

Read the letter to EPA Administrator Regan here.