Feb. 21, 2014: Alliance Petitions EPA for Tighter Restrictions on HFCs
Measure Should Promote Refrigerant Recycling, Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy has submitted a petition for rulemaking to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that seeks to include HFCs under the provisions of Title VI, Section 608 of the Clean Air Act intended to reduce refrigerant gas emissions. Including HFCs under Section 608 would reduce the emissions of these refrigerants that provide safe and effective air conditioning and refrigeration but are also greenhouse gases. Section 608 already includes requirements for CFCs and HCFCs.
The Alliance estimates that the inclusion of HFCs under Section 608 could reduce HFC emissions by 15-20 percent in the United States. The primary goal of Section 608 is to minimize the loss of refrigerant to the atmosphere by improving the practices utilized during the servicing of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. It sets certain leak and recovery standards and requires enhanced certification of equipment and technicians.