President Donald Trump speaks during an announcement with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, May 21, 2026.Kevin Lamarque | ReutersPresident Donald Trump on Thursday announced a delay of two Biden-era EPA refrigerant rules, arguing the move will cut costs for companies and save consumers money at the grocery store. The administration estimated that American businesses and families will save more than $2.4 billion under the new rules. “Our actions allow businesses to choose the refrigeration systems that work best for them, saving them billions of dollars,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement.”This will be felt directly by American families in lower grocery prices,” he said.But it was unclear Thursday whether or how companies such as grocers would use those savings to make it more affordable for shoppers to fill their carts. The changes would not require grocers to take any steps to cut prices, at a time when many households see their budgets stretched by soaring gas prices and years of elevated inflation. The rules target hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems that are widely accepted as contributors to global warming. Under the Biden administration, the EPA in 2023 finalized regulations aimed at cutting leaks and emissions from those systems, affecting industries ranging from grocery stores and food distribution to semiconductor manufacturing. Now, the EPA is delaying compliance by revising the 2023 rule and another regulation from 2024.The administration’s messaging appears aimed squarely at inflation-weary consumers, especially as food prices remain politically sensitive ahead of the midterm elections this fall. Grocery retailers rely heavily on refrigeration infrastructure, and compliance with the EPA rules would have required upgrades, leak detection systems and new refrigerants in some cases. At the time the rules were put in place, the EPA argued they would save businesses and consumers $4.5 billion over time through energy efficiency and lower-cost refrigerants. Grocery and food industry groups warned the transition could cost the industry billions in upfront equipment and compliance expenses.Large chains such as Walmart, Kroger and Costco have already bee …
