Drusilla Hufford, Director

Stratospheric Protection DivisionU.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Regulatory Update

2015 HVACR & Mechanical Conferenc

for Education Professionals

March 9, 2015

Linthicum Heights, MD
Why are HFCs a Concern?

 Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are synthetic, fluorinated greenho Use and emissions of HFCs are rapidly increasing, because they 

replacements for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) being phaunder the Montreal Protocol

 From 2004 to 2008, global 

emissions of HFCs increased by about 8% per year; left unchecked, emissions could rise to nearly 20% of total carbon dioxide emissions by 2050

 In the United States, emissions of 

HFCs are expected to double from current levels of 1.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and triple by 2030 
 Announced June 2013 Among many other things, the CAP directs 

EPA to take action on HFCs

 Address HFCs domestically:

 Use existing Clean Air Act authority of Significant New Alternat

(SNAP) Program to approve climate-friendly chemicals and prohuses of most harmful chemical alternatives

 Provide federal leadership by purchasing cleaner alternatives to 

whenever feasible and by transitioning to equipment using safer, 

sustainable alternatives

 Continue international diplomacy on HFCs:

 Lead negotiations under Montreal Protocol to phase down HFCs Work with partners in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to R

Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) to promote climate-friealternatives to high-GWP HFCs, address standards, and reduce HF

President’s Climate Action Plan
 Evaluates substitutes and lists as acceptable those that reduce o

to human health & environment; lists acceptable with use conneeded to ensure safe use; lists as unacceptable

 Industrial sectors include:

 Aerosols; Foams; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning; Solvents; Fire Su

Adhesives, Coatings & Inks, etc.

 Since 1994, 400+ substitutes reviewed considering dimension

risk’, relying on principles that have guided SNAP for past 20 

 Ozone-Depleting Potential, Global Warming Potential, Flammability, T

Air Quality, Ecosystem Effects, Occupational, Consumer Health/Safet

 Consider each individual end-use; No across-the-board GWP cu

prohibition on HFCs as a whole, or in any one sector; New HFC(e.g., HFC/HFO blends) can still be listed if risks are not greater available substitutes; Recognize timing is critical dimension and tuse has unique considerations 
 Through intensive engagement with stakeholders, sought deepe

understanding of range of alternatives, ongoing transitions, wheoptions are limited

 Held two large stakeholder meetings to discuss initial thinking; Seven sector-spec

numerous other meetings with individual stakeholders

 Issued new acceptability notice adding more alternatives 

 Published October 21, 2014 (79 FR 62863) 

 Issued new rule adding five flammable refrigerants with use con

adopt safety standards

 Signed February 27, 2015 Includes household refrigerators and freezers, stand-alone retail food refrigeratio

low temperature refrigeration, non-mechanical heat transfer, vending machines, conditioning units

 Proposed Status Change Rule to limit use of HFCs 

 Published August 6, 2014 (79 FR 46126) Proposed certain HFCs unacceptable for specific end-uses with compliance dates 

next few years

 Includes aerosols, foams, motor vehicle air-conditioning and commercial refriger

SNAP Action Update
 Develop final Status Change Rule 

 Public comment period closed October 2014 Reviewing comments and developing final rule for 2015

 SNAP is a continuing review program; current rules sho

as part of a series

 Additional alternatives under evaluation; expect more noti

proposals in 2015

 Continue to engage with stakeholders

SNAP Next Steps 
HFC Emissions Reductions HFC Emissions Reductions

Near term changeprovide both near long term benefits

Avoided emissions from proposal estimated 31-42 MMTCO2eq in 2020
 EPA announced plans to update 608 regulations in Novem

 Reduce emissions of high-GWP refrigerants by expanding  Simplify, clarify and improve existing requirements where 

 EPA engaging stakeholders on what changes to make Changes could affect technicians

 To purchase HFCs, you would have to be certified To service, install or dispose of most HFC-containing appli

would have to be certified 

 Test bank questions would be updated to reflect changes in 

and regulations

 Service requirements would extend to HFC-containing app

 Timeline:

 Proposed rule in late 2015 Final rule after considering public feedback in 2016 Updated test bank would follow final rule

CAA Section 608 Regulatory Chan
 United States pursuing HFC Phasedown amendment to t

Montreal Protocol

 Joint proposal with Canada & Mexico to phase DOWN, no

HFCs

 Open-ended Working Group meeting of the Montreal Prot

HFC Management workshop: April 2015

 White House event on HFCs, September 2014, announce

commitments to curb HFC use and emissions

 EPA providing technical support to efforts to update the 

Acquisition Regulations 

 G7 Summit statement, June 2014:

“We will work together and with others to phase down the production 

consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protoalso continue to take action to promote the rapid deployment of climatsafe alternatives in motor vehicle air-conditioning and we will promote procurement of climate-friendly HFC alternatives.”

Additional Efforts on HFCs
Thank You!