Biden’s First Big Swing at Cooling the Planet: HFCs Explained

The EPA has proposed a rule phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons, a potent contributor to global warming—and the Biden administration’s first major attempt at tackling climate change.

It’s the first time the Environmental Protection Agency has set a cap on HFCs. But it won’t be the last—the EPA has already said it’s going to propose new rules for auto emissions in July and methane emissions in September.

Here’s an explanation of what’s happened so far and what’s at stake:

1. What are HFCs?

HFCs are human-created compounds used in air conditioning, refrigeration, aerosols, and fire protection. They were created ...