WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) helped lead the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change markup of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act, which will now advance for action by the full committee. The bill, which Rep. Peters introduced with a group of bipartisan members in January, takes a step towards the Congressman’s longstanding priority to slow climate change by reducing super pollutants while simultaneously fortifying the American economy.

Specifically, the bill would help the United States transition to a more sustainable economy and planet by phasing down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) over a 15 year period, allowing minimal exceptions for essential uses in cases where no substitute is available. HFCs are powerful super pollutants hundreds to thousands times more potent than carbon dioxide, and are large contributors to global warming. Research conducted by Dr. Veerabhadran Ramanathan of UC San Diego, as well as policy research done by Durwood Zaelke and David Victor, found aggressively cutting super pollutants now could avoid 1.5 degrees of warming by the end of the century. Additional research demonstrates that curbing super pollutants could reduce sea level rise 18 percent by 2050 and 24 percent by the end of the century, according to studies cited in an Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development report.

The American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act wields wide support from public health advocates, environmental groups, and manufacturers. It is projected to add 33,000 American jobs, limit imports of foreign-produced HFCs, and would advance efforts to combat the climate crisis.

“There is no question that America and the world must stop using HFCs and we must have a regulatory framework in place to make sure safer, cleaner HFC alternatives comply with international commitments,” said Rep. Peters. “The American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act offers our country a chance to get in front of shifting market trends before we get left behind. It will lead to crucial job growth in innovation and manufacturing, both critical to San Diego’s regional economy, and it will put our national economy on a durable, environmentally-friendly path to allow us to compete globally. Simply put, this policy is good for jobs, good for the economy, and good for the planet–it’s a win for everyone.”

Rep. Peters offered the only amendment that passed during the legislative markup. The amendment replaced the bill’s original text with an amended version, involving small tweaks to perfect the bill’s language.