The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 23, 2024, the final rule to further reduce potent greenhouse gases called HFCs. This new rule establishes the Emissions Reduction and Reclamation (ER&R) program and sets requirements to reduce leaks of gases in refrigerators and improve practices to curb emissions of refrigerants at end of life, including at supermarkets. 

According to the EPA, this rule will avoid emissions equivalent to 23.7 million homes’ electricity usage for one year (120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2050) and at least $6.9 billion in net incremental benefits from 2026-2050.

Huge supermarket chains – like Kroger and Safeway – are primary sources of these emissions, with large refrigeration systems prone to HFC leaks. Hence, Green America has been pressuring supermarkets through our Cool It campaign for the past few years to switch to not only repair the leaks in all their stores but also switch to climate-friendly gases in their refrigerators.

Thanks to Green Americans taking action with us, Kroger announced making the switch to natural refrigerators in its new stores.

Green America and our colleagues will continue to pressure major chains like Kroger and Safeway to phase out of the use of HFCs, which are a major contributor to the climate crisis.