Trump administration eases EPA refrigerant rules affecting hydrofluorocarbons

What are hydrofluorocarbons?

Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, are synthetic refrigerants used in equipment such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. The sources describe them as potent greenhouse gases with a much stronger warming effect than carbon dioxide over shorter periods Los Angeles Times,NYT.

Who is directly affected by the rule changes?

The changes directly affect grocery stores, air-conditioning companies and other businesses that use refrigeration or cooling systems covered by EPA rules. Reports also say the changes would affect supermarkets, homeowners and some transport refrigeration equipment, depending on the specific rule being revised PBS.org,Aol,Yahoo News.

Why is this tied to grocery prices?

The White House and EPA say the existing rules made some refrigeration systems more expensive and that easing them will save businesses money, especially grocery stores, which they say could translate into lower food prices. But some coverage says it is not yet clear whether those savings would be passed on to shoppers Seattle Times,USA Today,CNBC.