CEI Leads Coalition of 22 Groups Asking Trump to Reject Kigali Amendment’s Red Tape

Kigali

Today, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) sent a letter to President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, asking them to reject the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and not submit it to the U.S. Senate for ratification.

The Kigali Amendment is a United Nations treaty, negotiated by the Obama administration, that would impose restrictions on the production of affordable refrigerants currently used in most types of air conditioning and refrigeration units, namely hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). A number of environmental pressure groups, patent holders, and manufacturers claim the use of HFCs must be reduced because of their global warming potential.

The letter was signed by 24 representatives from 22 free market, conservative, consumer, and sound science organizations. The signers argue that the Kigali Amendment would do far more economic harm than environmental good.

Director of CEI’s Center for Energy and Environment Myron Ebell said the following about the letter:

“The Kigali Amendment would require Americans to eventually replace air conditioning and refrigeration units with more expensive alternatives. This will benefit several corporations that make the new, more expensive chemicals and units that use them, but it will raise costs for households, businesses, and motorists.

“We don’t oppose the adoption of the alternative, HFOs, for air conditioning and refrigeration, but that decision should be one for consumers and businesses, not the federal government or worse, the United Nations. This kind of overregulation threatens the progress the Trump administration has made in boosting the economy, lowering unemployment, supporting investment, and ultimately increasing family incomes.”

>> Read the letter here.