Oct. 20, 2014: EPA Steps Up Phaseout of R-22 Refrigerant
Final Rule Slashes Production, Importation Come Jan. 1
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its final phase down schedule regarding production and importation of HCFC-22 refrigerant. It calls for an immediate drop come this Jan. 1 from 51 million pounds allowed in 2014 to 22 million pounds in 2015. After that, 18 million pounds of new and imported R-22 will be allowed in 2016, 13 million pounds in 2017, nine million pounds in 2018, and four million pounds in 2019. No new or imported R-22 will be allowed as of Jan. 1, 2020.
In the announcement made Oct. 17, 2014, the EPA ended up using what it described as a “more aggressive linear reduction.” Other options would have allowed between 30 and 36 million pounds in 2015, much higher than the 22 million pounds now being allowed.