Washington Refrigerant Task Force Selects HARDI as Member

As ordered under House Bill 1462 from the Washington legislature’s 2025 session, the Washington State Department of Ecology has announced the establishment of its Refrigerant Task Force. The Refrigerant Task Force will create a report for the Washington legislature that will recommend how, or if, an ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) transition would occur in the state. The task force will begin meeting in July 2026 and continue to meet monthly through 2027. The Washington legislature will then discuss the report’s recommendation in the 2028 legislative session. HARDI was selected as one of the industry representatives to be a member of the task force.

What Is the Goal of the Washington Refrigerant Task Force?

The main goal of the task force is to provide a report to the Washington State Legislature that recommends strategies and identifies key considerations for transitioning to low and ultra-low-GWP refrigerants by 2035. With specific consideration being given to the different types of equipment that use refrigerants for different sectors, and the timelines needed for each industry to make the switch, if it is feasible. Visit the Refrigerant Task Force’s website for more information.

Who Is on the Task Force?

The Refrigerant Task Force has two types of members: task force members and auxiliary members. A task force member will be voting, attending each meeting, and directly shaping the report that will serve as the recommendation to the legislature. An auxiliary member serves as an “expert” who will be invited to specific meetings to share their topic expertise as requested by the rule. The voting and auxiliary members are as follows:

Voting Task Force Members:

• Mike Armstrong - President and Managing Director, A-Gas

• Jennifer Dennerline - Branch Service Manager, Johnson Controls

• Lillianna Garibaldi - CMMS Analyst, Rosauers Supermarkets, Inc.

• Aleisha Khan - Executive Director, Refrigerant Emissions Elimination Forum (REEF)

• Blaine Meek - General Manager/Farmer, AgriNorthwest

• Ruth Ivory-Moore - Senior Director of Governance, Hudson Technologies Company

• Beth Porter - Senior Climate Policy Analyst, Environmental Investigation Agency

• Samantha Slater - Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)

• Zachary Smith - The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) Local #32

• Alexander Thorson - Director of Refrigeration Engineering, Key Mechanical; Refrigeration Committee Chair, ASHRAE

• Todd Titus - Director of State Government Affairs, Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI)

• Helen Walter-Terrioni - Director of Policy and Advocacy, Trane Technologies

• Jeremy Arling - Senior Fellow, Super-pollutants, Natural Resources Defense Council

• Dan Young - Fire Marshal, Kittitas County

Auxiliary Task Force Members:

• Maureen Beatty - EVP, National Refrigerants, Inc.

• Jim Dominik - Managing Member, Polaris Public Safety Solutions

• Nick Manning - Senior Energy Policy Specialist, Washington Department of Commerce

• Ken Morgan - Performance Builder and Utility Specialist, Gensco Inc.; Director, Washington Air Conditioning Contractors Association

• Heather Trim - Executive Director, Zero Waste Washington

Questions?

HARDI will share information and provide updates from the Refrigerant Task Force meetings as permitted. HARDI believes in a feasible approach to refrigerants that improves the environment, but not at the expense of hurting businesses and citizens. If you have any questions, contact Todd Titus, HARDI’s Director of State Government Affairs.

Stay up to date on the latest Government Affairs and Advocacy updates by subscribing yourself or your company's key contact for these issues. Get the latest Federal and State issues information impacting the HVACR industry.