Finger Lakes Today

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is currently facing pushback from the retail food industry regarding the draft regulations that propose prohibitions on new products and equipment containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), slated to begin on January 1, 2025. In a letter addressed to Governor Hochul, industry representatives expressed their concerns about the potential detrimental effects of the proposed regulations.

Highlighting the significant impact on businesses, the letter emphasized, "These regulations, as currently written, would have devastating impacts on the retail food industry, including grocers, convenience stores and neighborhood bodegas, many of which are located in food deserts, up to the largest supermarkets doing business in New York State."

Furthermore, the industry raised issues regarding the financial burdens associated with compliance, stating, "The cost of retrofitting stores to meet these new standards is in the millions of dollars." They also pointed out challenges in the supply chain and the availability of necessary equipment and expertise to meet the proposed standards.

Acknowledging the environmental efforts made by businesses, the letter underscored, "We should recognize the energy-efficient investments these businesses have made and continue to make to their operations in support of shared environmental goals."

In light of these concerns, the industry urged Governor Hochul to reconsider the timeline for implementation and align with federal regulations on HFCs, which offer a more realistic approach. The letter concluded with a plea for the state to protect local businesses, jobs, and access to food while still upholding environmental protection measures.