EPA To Hold Webinar on Managing HFCs and Substitutes
The Agency seeks input on ways to increase reclamation of HFCs
On Wednesday, November 9 at 11 a.m. EST, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a stakeholder meeting to provide information, as well as enable stakeholders to provide input, on an upcoming regulatory action, which the Agency intends to propose under subsection (h), “Management of Regulated Substances,” of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act.
The AIM Act authorizes EPA to address HFCs in three main ways: phasing down HFC production and consumption; promulgating certain regulations for the purposes of maximizing reclamation and minimizing releases of HFCs and their substitutes from equipment; and facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions.
Among other provisions, subsection (h) directs EPA to establish certain requirements for management of certain HFCs and their substitutes. Specifically, the subsection directs the Agency to establish regulations to control, where appropriate, practices, processes, or activities regarding the servicing, repair, disposal, or installation of equipment, for purposes of maximizing the reclamation and minimizing the release of certain HFCs from equipment and ensuring the safety of technicians and consumers.
Subsection (h) also provides for the Agency to consider options to increase opportunities for reclaiming HFCs used as refrigerants and potential approaches to coordinate regulations carrying out subsection (h) of the AIM Act with similar EPA regulations, such as the refrigerant management program established under Title VI of the Clean Air Act.
EPA has made available a draft report, “Analysis of the U.S. Hydrofluorocarbon Reclamation Market: Stakeholders, Drivers, and Practices,” and the Agency is requesting comments on the information and analysis it contains, as well as potential data gaps.
Registration for the event is available here.
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