Trending Now - Trump Administration Relaxes Refrigerant Regulations Amid Rising Food Prices

WHO:

Fast Company - Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, stated that the new rule will "allow businesses to choose the refrigeration systems that work best for them, saving them billions of dollars."

AP - Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of the Food Industry Association, stated that the earlier rule "imposed significant costs and unrealistic compliance requirements and timelines that threatened to drive up grocery prices."

Fast Company - Lee Zeldin stated that the new rule will "allow businesses to choose the refrigeration systems that work best for them, saving them billions of dollars."

AP - Trump stated that the previous Biden-era rule was "unnecessary and costly and actually makes the machinery worse."

AP - Leslie Sarasin is the president and CEO of the Food Industry Association.

Fast Company - Lee Zeldin stated that the Biden-era rule imposes "costly restrictions that limit the type of refrigerants U.S. businesses and families can use."

AP - Trump stated that the EPA action would "substantially lower costs for consumers" and protect "hundreds of thousands of jobs."

AP - Trump stated that the EPA action would protect "hundreds of thousands of jobs" and save Americans "more than $2 billion a year."

AP - Kroger CEO Greg Foran mentioned that the EPA action ensures "an orderly transition" for updating equipment to keep grocery prices down.

Fast Company - Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Fast Company - Executives from grocery chains including Kroger and Piggly Wiggly are expected to join President Trump at the announcement event.

WHAT:

AP - The Trump administration's action on refrigerants represents a reversal after Trump signed a law in his first term that aimed to reduce harmful, planet-warming pollutants emitted by refrigerators and air conditioners.

AP - The 2023 rule now being relaxed imposed steep restrictions on HFCs starting in 2026.

Fast Company - The new rule represents a reversal of the bipartisan measure signed by Trump in his first term aimed at reducing harmful pollutants.

AP - The 2023 rule being relaxed imposed steep restrictions on HFCs starting in 2026.

AP - The EPA's new rule will delay restrictions on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that were set to begin in 2026, allowing businesses to choose refrigeration systems that work best for them.

AP - Kroger CEO Greg Foran stated that the EPA action ensures "an orderly transition" that allows the company to update its equipment "in a way which keeps the price of groceries down."

Fast Company - The new rule will allow businesses to choose refrigeration systems that work best for them, saving them billions of dollars.

AP - The 2023 rule now being relaxed imposed steep restrictions on HFCs starting in 2026.

AP - The new rule will delay restrictions on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that were set to begin in 2026.

Fast Company - The Trump administration is set to loosen a federal rule requiring grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment.

Fast Company - The new rule is expected to save businesses billions of dollars and lower grocery prices for American families.

Fast Company - Inflation in the United States increased to 3.8% annually in April.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The announcement is scheduled to take place at the White House.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The announcement of the changes is scheduled for Thursday.

WHY:

Fast Company - The administration's action on refrigerants is part of a broader effort to address affordability issues amid rising living costs before pivotal elections in November.

Fast Company - The administration's action is part of a broader effort to address rising voter concerns over the cost of living before pivotal elections in November.

AP - The administration's action is part of a broader effort to address rising voter concerns over the cost of living before pivotal elections in November.

Fast Company - The administration's action on refrigerants is part of a broader effort to address affordability issues amid rising living costs before pivotal elections in November.

AP - Trump described the previous Biden-era rule as "unnecessary and costly" and claimed it "actually makes the machinery worse."

Fast Company - The administration is responding to voter concerns over rising living costs ahead of pivotal elections in November.

Fast Company - The loosening of the refrigerant rule is intended to address affordability issues amid price spikes caused by the Iran war and Trump's tariffs.

HOW:

AP - The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute stated that the change in approach would "inject uncertainty across the market" and could even raise prices.

AP - The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute stated that the change in approach could "inject uncertainty across the market" and could even raise prices.

AP - The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute stated that the change in approach would "inject uncertainty across the market" and could even raise prices.

AP - The EPA's new approach is said to "inject uncertainty across the market" according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute.

Fast Company - The new rule will allow businesses to choose refrigeration systems that work best for them, reversing a previous law aimed at reducing harmful pollutants from refrigerants.

Fast Company - The EPA's action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back regulations perceived as climate-friendly.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 13:47 UTC)

President Trump’s administration is set to relax regulations on refrigerants, reversing a previous law aimed at reducing harmful pollutants from refrigerators and air conditioners. Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, emphasized that the new rule will allow businesses to select refrigeration systems that best suit their needs, potentially saving them billions of dollars, while Leslie Sarasin from the Food Industry Association noted that the earlier rule had imposed significant costs that could drive up grocery prices. However, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute warned that this shift may inject uncertainty into the market and could lead to increased prices.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 10:04 UTC)

A new rule announced by the administration will allow businesses to choose refrigeration systems that best suit their needs, potentially saving them billions of dollars, according to Lee Zeldin. This change reverses a bipartisan measure signed by Trump during his first term, which imposed strict restrictions on HFCs starting in 2026 and was criticized by Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of the Food Industry Association, for its significant costs and unrealistic compliance requirements. The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute warns that this shift could create market uncertainty and possibly lead to higher prices, all part of the administration's strategy to address rising voter concerns about the cost of living ahead of the pivotal elections in November.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 08:05 UTC)

President Trump criticized the previous Biden-era rule concerning hydrofluorocarbons, calling it "unnecessary and costly" and claiming it worsened machinery. The EPA's new rule will delay restrictions on HFCs, allowing businesses more flexibility in choosing refrigeration systems, which Kroger CEO Greg Foran believes will help keep grocery prices down during an orderly transition. However, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute warns that this change could create market uncertainty and potentially lead to higher prices.

(UPDATED May 21, 2026 23:21 UTC)

Lee Zeldin has criticized the Biden-era rule on refrigerants, claiming it imposes costly restrictions that limit options for U.S. businesses and families. In contrast, Trump has argued that the Environmental Protection Agency's recent action will substantially lower costs for consumers and protect hundreds of thousands of jobs, as the new rule allows businesses to choose refrigeration systems that best suit their needs, potentially saving billions. However, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute warns that this change could inject uncertainty into the market and may even lead to higher prices.

(UPDATED May 21, 2026 21:30 UTC)

Trump announced that the EPA's new rule will delay restrictions on hydrofluorocarbons, which were scheduled to take effect in 2026, claiming this action will protect "hundreds of thousands of jobs" and save Americans "more than $2 billion a year." Kroger CEO Greg Foran supported the move, stating it ensures "an orderly transition" for updating equipment to help keep grocery prices down. However, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute warned that the EPA's approach could "inject uncertainty across the market."

(UPDATED May 21, 2026 17:46 UTC)

President Trump is set to announce a significant change to federal regulations regarding greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment, with the event scheduled to take place at the White House on Thursday. This new rule, which will allow businesses to select refrigeration systems that suit their needs, aims to save companies billions of dollars and reduce grocery prices for American families, especially in light of rising inflation. Executives from major grocery chains like Kroger and Piggly Wiggly are expected to join Trump at the announcement, which comes as the administration responds to voter concerns about living costs ahead of the pivotal elections in November.