February 4, 2014

SNAP Stakeholder Meeting 
Welcome - Scope of Meeting 

2

 The President’s Climate Action Plan and HFC focal area 

 SNAP principles and how they are being used consistent 

with the CAP

 Developing information on HFCs and alternatives

 Near-term roadmap and specific actions being considered 

 Our questions for you – your questions for us

 Next Steps
What Does the President’s Climate Action 

Plan Say about HFCs?

3

 Continue international diplomacy

 Lead negotiations under the Montreal Protocol to phase down HFCs

 Global phase down could reduce over 90 gigatons of CO2eq by 

2050, equal to roughly two years worth of current global GHG emissions 

 Work with partners in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce ShortLived Climate Pollutants to promote climate-friendly alternatives to highGWP HFCs, address standards, and reduce emissions from HFC use 

 Address through domestic actions

 Use existing Clean Air Act authority of Significant New Alternatives Policy 

(SNAP) Program to approve climate-friendly chemicals, prohibit some uses of 

most harmful chemical alternatives

• Provide federal leadership by purchasing cleaner 

alternatives to HFCs whenever feasible and by 

transitioning to equipment using safe, more 

sustainable alternatives
EPA Immediate Next Steps 

4

 Share information to facilitate and focus individual 

stakeholder input

 Currently planning two separate rulemakings

 1) New SNAP Listing Rule

 Would propose adding new low GWP refrigerants as acceptable subject 

to use conditions

 Expected timing: proposed rule this spring

 2) SNAP Status Change Rule

 Would propose changing the status of certain high GWP HFCs

 Expected timing: proposed rule in the summer
Some Key Principles Guiding Our Thinking 

5

 SNAP rules will continue to consider individual end uses

 No across the board GWP cut offs 

 No prohibition on HFCs as a whole, or in any one sector

 New HFCs or HFC blends may be listed if risk not greater 

than other available substitutes 

 Recognition that timing is a critical dimension and that each 

end use has unique considerations 

 Status change actions will be issued through notice and 

comment rulemaking
Other Factors Stakeholders Have Raised 

6

 SNAP should continue its end use by end use and chemical by 

chemical approach

 SNAP should allow existing equipment be to be serviced to 

minimize stranded capital

 EPA should consider the useful lifetimes of equipment

 EPA should consider mechanisms to add certainty to potential 

status change actions

 Consider specific time periods for review and action

 Consider percent of market already in alternatives

 Consider minimum listing periods to enable recoupment of investment
What Has EPA Been Doing? 

7

 We continue to evaluate new alternatives, develop sector 

specific characterizations, draft rules & notices

 EPA has been engaging with stakeholders:

 August 2013: EPA held stakeholder meeting to discuss CAP’s HFC 

elements and our initial thinking

 2013: EPA held six sector-specific workshops to exchange additional 

information on climate-friendly alternatives, potential transitions and 

data

 EPA has also held numerous individual meetings

 EPA sought deeper understanding of the range of alternatives, 

ongoing transitions and where & why options are limited and more 

 Some views have been confirmed, & we have gained new information, 

insight
Low-GWP Refrigerants Listing Rule 

8

 EPA is developing a proposed rule that would expand the list of lowGWP, climate-friendly alternatives for air conditioning and 

refrigeration applications 

 Add alternatives particularly where current options are limited

 Since these refrigerants are flammable, EPA is planning to propose 

appropriate use conditions that adopt safety standards

Refrigerant GWP

End Use and Application EPA is Considering

Household 

Refrigerators

Retail

refrigerator 

stand

-alone

Vending

Very Low 

Temp Ref

Heat Transfer

Home AC

-

Selfcontained

Ethane 6 √ √

Iso-butane* 8 √ √

Propane* 3 √ √ √

R-441A* (HC blend) <5 √ √ √

HFC-32 675 √

*listed 12/2011 for other refrigeration applications
Change of Status Rule 

9

 §612 directs EPA to list unacceptable substitute substances where 

there are other substitutes currently or potentially available that reduce 

overall risk to human health & environment 

 Potentially available: adequate health, safety, & environmental data exist to make 

determination of acceptability, and EPA reasonably believes is technically feasible, even if 

not all testing has yet been completed and alternative is not yet produced or sold (40 

CFR 82.172)

 EPA plans to prioritize proposing to change the status of high-GWP 

HFCs where alternatives are available or potentially available

 Proposed decisions being developed within existing SNAP framework and 

rely on established SNAP criteria 

 Considering end uses where low-GWP alternatives are available or 

potentially available 

 Considering end uses where significant environmental benefits can be 

achieved, backsliding to high-GWP HFCs avoided
Current Thinking on Possible Status Changes 

10

 Consumer Aerosols (non-medical & non-technical aerosols) 

 Change status for HFC-134a, HFC-227ea and HFC-125

 Retain HFC-152a 

 Various foam blowing end uses 

 Change status by foam type, generally HFC-134a and higher GWPs

 Commercial Refrigeration

 Vending Machines and Stand-Alone Reach-In Coolers

 Change the status for HFC-134a and HFC blends with higher GWPs

 Multiplex Supermarket Systems

 Change the status for R-507A, R-404A and other HFC blends with 

high GWPs

 Retain R-407A , R407F, others

 Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning 

 Change the status for HFC-134a 
Open Dialogue – 

Questions and Answers 

11