NASRC New York Workshop Engages Stakeholders Early in Regulatory Process
Discuss challenges, solutions to advancing climate-friendly refrigerant technologies
ALBANY, N.Y — The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently co-hosted a workshop, which aimed to help New York supermarkets prepare for future refrigerant regulations. The workshop provided a platform for key stakeholders — including supermarket retailers, service contractors, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, government agencies, utilities, engineering and design firms, consultants, and non-governmental organizations — to discuss challenges and solutions to advancing climate-friendly refrigerant technologies in New York State.
New York is one of a growing number of states that has announced plans to phase out Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) commonly used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, as part of the U.S. Climate Alliance commitment to advance the goals of the Paris Agreement. States have taken an interest in HFC regulations due to the high global warming potential (GWP) of these gases and the significant emissions reduction opportunity presented by phasing them out. But the transition to low-GWP refrigerants is anything but easy for a supermarket due to a unique set of market barriers.