WASHINGTON — The HVACR industry is getting ready to deal with a
significant reduction in the production of the HCFC refrigerant R-22 starting
in 2010. But that 75 percent reduction from 1996 levels may be even greater
based on refrigerant-related rules being proposed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
At the same time, the EPA also appears to be moving to make it
tougher to deal with any new R-22 equipment as of 2010.
The proposed “Adjustments to the Allowance System for Controlling
HCFC Production, Import, and Export” appears to allow to EPA to go beyond the
75 percent target effective Jan. 1, 2010. The ruling also provides production allocations
for various refrigerant manufacturers, ending some uncertainty in that matter.
The proposed “Ban on Sale or Distribution of Pre-Charged
Appliances” says that as of Jan. 1, 2010 it will be illegal to import, produce,
or sell R-22 for use in new equipment or pre-charged into such equipment. In
effect, the ruling appears to say that if a contractor buys a product as of
Jan. 1, 2010 that needs R-22, the charging would have to be done with existing
recovered, recycled, and/or reclaimed R-22 — or R-22 alternatives — rather than
virgin R-22.
EPA is accepting comments on the proposed “Adjustments to the
Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import, and Export” rule on
or before March 9, 2009. EPA is also holding a hearing on the proposed rule on
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, from 1 to 4 p.m. The hearing will be held at 1310 L
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005, in room 154. A fact sheet on the proposed
rule is available at www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/Factsheet2010nprm.html.
EPA is accepting comments on the proposed “Ban on Sale or
Distribution of Pre-Charged Appliances” rule on or before Feb. 6, 2009. EPA is
also holding a hearing on the proposed rule on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, from 9
a.m. to 12 noon. The hearing will be held at 1310 L Street, N.W., Washington,
DC 20005, in room 154. A fact sheet on the proposed rule is available at
www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/Factsheetprecharged.html.
Publication date: 01/05/2009
