More than three dozen local business owners, workers and elected officials converged Friday at Chef’s Restaurant to protest an initiative supported by Gov. Kathy Hochul that seeks to ban a key chemical component of refrigerators and air conditioners.
Nick Kusmierski of Market in the Square grocery store in West Seneca organized the gathering and said the proposal would have a devastating impact on businesses and consumers across the state.
“The overwhelming backlash from this proposal needs to be heard. The general public, the everyday consumer from across the state needs to know exactly what is contained in this regulation and how it will affect their lives and what they can do about it because our time is short,” Kusmierski said.
In December, the state Department of Environmental Conservation introduced proposed limitations on certain hydrofluorocarbon, or HFC, substances that are used in refrigeration and air conditioning as part of the implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Hydrofluorocarbons are a greenhouse gas that contribute to climate change. Under the state timetable, the substances would begin being phased out in 2025.
The result, said Kusmierski, is that retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and, ultimately, consumers will see an unprecedented increase in costs driven by the requirements of the new law that, he added, are not aligned with federal or international standards.
Nelson Eusabio, a representative with the National Supermarket Association, told the New York Post it could cost grocery stores between $300,000 to $1 million to eventually replace the cooling compressors that power refrigerators.
“While the DEC has attempted to assure us via X and Twitter that these rules will not result in increased costs nor equipment replacement before end of useful life, we know this is not the case,” Kusmierski said Friday.
In a news release, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said New York is…
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