Latest news with #iGas
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Why this Memorial Day could be the hottest and most uncomfortable EVER thanks to Joe Biden
Americans getting ready for the unofficial start of summer this Memorial Day will soon get some unwelcome news when it comes time to service their home air conditioning units. Prices to service and install AC units have been spiking in part due to an 11th hour Biden administration move to speed up the transition to a new refrigerant gas that has become the subject of a supply crunch. 'It's going to be a hot summer and unfortunately a lot of people are going to be paying the price,' Jorge Alvarez, the co-founder of an air conditioning company based in Tampa, Florida told The issue is a shortage of a newly mandated refrigerant that began with an Obama administration effort to curb damage to the planet's ozone layer. That brought an effort to phase out R-410A, the commonly used refrigerant used as an alternative to another ozone-depleting gas. In October 2024, the Biden administration accelerated a phase-out for the switch to a new refrigerant, R-454B. It's considered effective, but it is also flammable, which has required changes to AC units. But there are only two U.S. manufacturers with a patent to make it, said Alvarez, whose company iGas manufactures AC equipment and sued to try to roll back the phase-out. 'There simply isn't enough refrigerant to go around,' he said. 'It's so bad that the contractors today are forced to either pull the refrigerant out of the system, and introduce a new refrigerant that's not even intended to be used with that system, and voiding the warranty, because there simply isn't enough refrigerant to go around,' he said. He says it has meant an 18 to 23 week back order for his clients – which means people wanting to get a new system might have to wait until October. Refrigeration costs for older units has spiked 600 percent, he said. 'If you spend $10,000 to $15,000 on air conditioning system today, imagine the contractor telling you, "I don't have enough refrigerant to make it work on this brand new unit". That's the reality of what's happening today. We're not even in the summer yet,' he said. He shared cost estimates for a similar five-ton AC unit for the same Florida apartment complex – one last spring, and one this year. Last year's proposal was for $8,570. This year's came in at $11,513 – an increase of 34 percent. Honeywell told contractors in April to prepare for a 42 percent price increase. That presaged a move by some contractors to look overseas for resupply – but that causes them to run smack into some of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Much of the supply comes from China, although shipments from China through Mexico appear to be getting around some of them. 'Dear Valued Customer,' the firm wrote its clients. 'Due to unprecedented demand for 454B, which cannot be met with domestic production alone, we are forced to source a significant portion of the supply through international markets to meet North American market demand.' Alvarez said the shortages are leading to a spike in prices This installation jumped by about a third year over year, he said It's not just supply. Companies must identify new hardware, valves, and other equipment, plus training to accommodate the change. Another company, Daikin Comfort Technologies, warned its sales and distribution reps about a potential shortage of cylinders that transport the refrigerant, calling it a 'major issue' and warning ominously, 'It's going to be a nasty summer.' It's not only individual homeowners who are getting hit. A spokesman for Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), who has introduced legislation to try to undo the rule under a process to overturn administration regulations, said the nation's grocers are feeling the pinch. 'They're the ones who have these massive refrigeration units,' said spokesman Matt Maley. He said small business including restaurants and grocers potentially having to lay out thousands of dollars to replace their systems. Dunn's legislation calls the EPA regulation an 'undue burden' and the National Grocers Association claimed it could lead to 'higher grocery prices for consumers and, in extreme cases, force community grocers to shut their doors.' The Biden administration pushed through the rule after inking a global climate agreement. It came amid the global rise in the use of air conditioning and studies on the damages posed by Hydroflorocarbons (HFCs) - a greenhouse gas termed a 'super-pollutant.' The agreement was seeking a 40 percent reduction of HFCs beginning in 2024 with a push for an 85 percent reduction by 2036. It was just one element of a climate agenda that the Trump administration is trying to dismantle through executive orders and legislation.
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa's New National Petroleum Company Signals Shift in African Energy Governance
The upcoming launch of the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) on April 1, 2025 marks a significant step in South Africa's ongoing efforts to restructure its energy sector and improve efficiency within state-owned enterprises. This move, which consolidates PetroSA, iGas and the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF), aligns with broader regional trends in energy governance, where NOCs are increasingly being positioned as catalysts for investment, security of supply and economic development. The South African government first announced plans for SANPC in 2020 as part of its strategy to rationalize state-owned enterprises and create a more competitive and investment-friendly energy sector. The merger process, overseen by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) Group under the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, has progressed steadily, with agreements in place to ensure a smooth transition for employees. However, questions remain over asset management, particularly regarding how viable and non-viable assets will be handled post-merger. SANPC's establishment comes at a time when Africa's energy sector is striving to create a more enabling environment for investment, a theme that will take center stage at the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference in Cape Town on September 29 - October 3. As South Africa works to streamline its state-owned energy enterprises, other African nations are similarly evaluating how to strengthen their own NOCs to attract investment, drive economic growth and navigate the global energy transition. In Angola, Sonangol has embarked on a restructuring process to enhance its operational efficiency and financial sustainability, including divesting non-core assets and increasing transparency to attract private sector investment. Similarly, Ghana's GNPC has pursued strategic partnerships with IOCs to maximize offshore exploration and production while ensuring local participation in energy projects. These efforts reflect a broader trend across the continent, where governments are leveraging regulatory reforms and governance improvements to make their NOCs more competitive in the global energy market. Nigeria has also taken significant steps with the transformation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), a commercially driven entity under its Petroleum Industry Act. The shift aims to position NNPC as a profit-oriented enterprise, reducing government dependence on oil revenues while fostering a more attractive investment climate. The success of these reforms will serve as a key reference for SANPC and other emerging NOCs in Africa, underscoring the importance of strong governance, fiscal discipline and strategic partnerships in the sector. A key aspect of SANPC's establishment is its impact on local content development. The latest report from the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources indicates that the integration of employees from PetroSA, iGas and SFF is progressing smoothly, with agreements in place to ensure job security and a seamless transition. This is a crucial development, as maintaining a skilled workforce and prioritizing local expertise will be essential for SANPC's operational success. As the newly established NOC progresses, its approach to workforce integration and skills development will serve as a benchmark for other state-owned enterprises in Africa looking to balance efficiency with social responsibility. With regulatory and policy frameworks playing a crucial role in shaping investor confidence, SANPC's structure and governance will be closely watched by industry stakeholders. Its success – or challenges – could offer valuable lessons for other African countries seeking to optimize their state energy assets while balancing the transition to cleaner energy sources. AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will provide a platform to discuss these critical issues, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and investors to explore solutions for Africa's energy future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About AEW: Invest in African Energy: AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.
