President Trump announced on Thursday that his administration is easing restrictions on the potent planet-warming chemicals used in air-conditioners and refrigerators \u2014 restrictions put in place because of a bipartisan law Mr. Trump signed during his first term.<\/p>\n
The move will slow plans to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, or chemical compounds sometimes called \u201csuper pollutants\u201d because of their enormous effect in driving climate change. The administration framed it as an effort to lower grocery prices that are testing voters\u2019 finances<\/a> before November\u2019s midterm elections.<\/p>\n Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator, joined Mr. Trump at the White House Thursday to announce the relaxation of requirements for grocery stores, air-conditioning companies, semiconductor plants and others to reduce production and use of the chemicals, which are also known as HFCs.<\/p>\n \u201cMany Americans were expressing a lot of frustration and anger at this rushed, frantic, reckless sprint by the Biden administration to phase out reliable equipment for grocery stores,\u201d Mr. Zeldin said, adding, \u201cThe Trump administration is answering the call, which will lower the cost of living for hard-working American families.\u201d<\/p>\n The administration said loosening the restrictions on HFCs would save businesses and families more than $2.4 billion. Mr. Trump faces growing political pressure to address the cost of living, especially as the war in Iran has driven up gas prices.<\/p>\n But analysts said the move would do little to lower grocery costs, which are elevated because of tariffs, extreme weather and soaring fuel prices since the start of the conflict in Iran.<\/p>\n \u201cThis move is highly unlikely to produce any noticeable reduction in grocery prices for consumers,\u201d said David Ortega, a food economist and professor at Michigan State University. \u201cWe\u2019re talking about refrigeration, and that\u2019s a very small share of the overall cost of food.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Ortega said that higher diesel prices in particular have raised the cost of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are either shipped or trucked into the United States. He added that, ironically, climate change is driving more severe droughts that have increased the prices of tomatoes and beef, among other items.<\/p>\n