Refrigeration Legislation Has Dye Hot

Legislation in Olympia looking at regulating refrigerants has many in the Ag community worried.  Expect for state Representative Mary Dye.  House Bill 1112 has her hot under the collar.  The legislation would regulate and reduce hydrofluorocarbons, a key in refrigeration and freezers.

Supporters say the reduction will help the environment and stop climate change.  Dye said the bill will do nothing more then harm Washington’s Food Processing community.  She noted a lack of education one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.

“Because they don’t realize that all of those processing facilities, all of the distribution centers, all of the transportation fleet, has to keep that food refrigerated or frozen, in order to provide a safe food source for the people that don’t have access to growing their own, right?  So we have a massive food distribution supply chain that is entirely dependent on massive refrigeration.”

She noted just a few years ago, the Ag community was ordered to make a similar change, which proved expensive.  She added there’s no guarantee the required updates will work with existing equipment.

“The investments that people have made, to provide the most safe food supply in the world, is going to be challenged under these sudden legislative changes.”

Dye said it’s important for the Ag community to write and call Olympia to share their thoughts.  HB 1112 is scheduled to have an executive session Wednesday.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com