HVAC&R industry awaits impact of U.S. election

The HVAC&R industry in the U.S. and globally – including makers and end users of natural refrigerant systems – will be impacted by the results of the U.S. presidential election taking place next Tuesday, November 8.

That’s because two major-party candidates have radically different policies on climate change, energy policy and environmental regulations. Here is a breakdown of these policies.

Most notably, in his public statements, Republican Donald Trump has taken a dismissive tone towards the threat of climate change, while promising unrestrained production of fossil fuels. By contrast, Democrat Hillary Clinton has committed to continuing the efforts of the Obama administration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and head off the worst effects of climate change.

For example, in 2013 President Obama announced the Climate Action Plan (CAP), which calls for international and domestic action to reduce greenhouse gases, including HFCs. The plan, for example, calls for his administration to reduce HFCs by purchasing alternatives whenever feasible. The White House has hosted two meetings with the private sector where companies outlined their efforts to cut HFC use, including the transition to natural refrigerants.

By contrast, on his campaign website Trump promises to rescind the Climate Action Plan.

Here are some other examples taken from their campaign websites.

Clinton intends to: 

• Deliver on the pledge President Obama made at the Paris climate conference—without relying Congress to pass new legislation. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30% in 2025 relative to 2005 levels and putting the country on a path to cut emissions more than 80% by 2050.
• Defend, implement, and extend  pollution and efficiency standards, including the Clean Power Plan and standards for cars, trucks, and appliances that are helping clean air, save money, and fight climate change.
• Generate enough renewable energy to power every home in the U.S., with half a billion solar panels installed by the end of Clinton’s first term.
• Cut energy waste in U.S. homes, schools, hospitals and offices by a third and make American manufacturing “the cleanest and most efficient in the world.”
• Reduce American oil consumption by a third through cleaner fuels and more efficient cars, boilers, ships, and trucks.
• Launch a $60 billion Clean Energy Challenge to partner with states, cities, and rural communities to cut carbon pollution and expand clean energy, including for low-income families.
• Invest in clean energy infrastructure, innovation, manufacturing and workforce development to make the U.S. economy more competitive and create good-paying jobs and careers.

• Rescind Obama executive actions, including the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule.
• Cancel the Paris Climate Agreement and stop all payments of U.S. tax dollars to U.N. global warming programs.
• Scrap any regulation considered “outdated, unnecessary, bad for workers, or contrary to the national interest.”
• Ask Trans Canada to renew its permit application for the Keystone Pipeline.
• Revoke restrictions considered "unwarranted" on new drilling technologies.
• Tap America’s “$50 trillion” in shale, oil, and natural gas reserves, plus hundreds of years in coal reserves.