The Alaska House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously on Wednesday to permit the use of eco-friendly refrigerants even when they are not specifically permitted under the state’s codes for building.
House Bill 51 introduced by Rep. Stanley Wright, of Anchorage, was ratified in a 35-1 vote , with the exception of Rep. David Eastman, who is from Wasilla, voting against. Four lawmakers were present located in Washington, D.C., and were excused from the Capitol on Wednesday.
It was the very first bill to be passed in this year’s House this year and was the first to be passed by Wright who is a new member.
The bill now moves to the Senate to be considered for further consideration. If passed , and subsequently passed by Governor. Mike Dunleavy, the bill would bring about the change required from Congress and approved by the former President Donald Trump in the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020.
This law mandates to the national Environmental Protection Agency to regulate and reduce Hydrofluorocarbons often used in refrigerants but also a major contributor to the climate change.
The phaseout process is handled at the federal level. the state legislation guarantees Alaska construction standards permit alternatives.
Eastman who was the only member of the vote who opposed the measure He said he was not happy the fact that the proposed law will incorporate federal law through numbers. Numbers from federal law have been incorporated into states’ laws ever since Alaska was made an independent state.
A change of the law that is federal could trigger implications in Alaska.
Each state is legally required to approve legislation similar to HB 51, as per documents handed out to legislators through the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute which is a trade organization. So far, 10 additional states have passed similar legislation according to the group.
