Senate committee hears testimony on bill to phase down high‑GWP refrigerants

The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee held a public hearing on SB 5438, a bill that would phase down sales and use of high global‑warming‑potential hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and direct the state to prioritize reclaimed refrigerants while establishing a refrigerant transition task force.

The bill would prohibit the sale or distribution of new (virgin) bulk HFCs above specified global warming potential (GWP) thresholds in a phased schedule, grant the Department of Ecology rule‑making authority to adjust limits if adequate reclaimed supply becomes available, and direct Ecology to form a task force to study the transition and report back to the Legislature by Dec. 31, 2027. The bill also restricts use of non‑reclaimed HFCs for servicing state‑owned stationary equipment beginning July 1, 2026, subject to exemptions where compliance is technically or economically infeasible.

Why it matters: HFCs are potent greenhouse gases used mainly as refrigerants in grocery stores, food processors and commercial equipment. Proponents told the committee the bill aims to reduce emissions while protecting supply and avoiding premature equipment replacements by boosting recovery and reclamation markets.

Committee staff summarized the bill. Matt Sheppard, staff to the committee, told members that…