# Refrigeration and Air Conditioning **SNAP Stakeholder Workshop: Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning** 

December 4, 2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

# Introduction • Why motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC), why now? – EPA is conducting a series of SNAP sector workshops – Refrigeration and air conditioning is the largest SNAP sector • Nov. 15: Household Appliances • Dec. 4: Stationary A/C and MVAC • Dec. 16: Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration 

### • Scope of the Meeting – Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program – Climate Action Plan – Other Activities 

### • Discussion 2

# Identifying **Safer Alternatives**

**SNAP Program** • Evaluates substitutes that reduce overall risk to human health & environment in industrial sectors – Aerosols, Foams, Refrigeration and A/C, Solvents, Fire Suppression, Adhesives, coatings & inks, etc. 

### • 400+ substitutes reviewed considering: – Ozone -depleting potential – Global warming potential – Flammability – Toxicity – Local air quality – Ecosystem effects – Occupational & consumer health/safety 3

# Progress Under SNAP • In CAA Title VI, Congress directed EPA to create listing clearinghouse to smooth transition to safer alternatives – Process seamless from consumer perspective – Regular SNAP list updates promote certainty and stability while encouraging continued innovation 

### • SNAP is an expanding menu of options that: – Are reviewed for health and environmental protection criteria – Reduce ODS/GHG emissions – Promote responsible practices to reduce emissions 

### • Unique review program supporting global transition • Sector-focused coordination – Long -standing cooperation with U.S. stakeholders – Work supporting national/international standards and codes revisions, removing barriers to adoption of alternatives 4

# SNAP Listings • SNAP lists alternatives as acceptable, unacceptable, or acceptable with conditions for use • Alternatives include: – Alternative chemicals/blends – Alternative technologies (e.g., thermoelectric) 

### • Next generation alternatives – Many climate -friendly options 

### • Currently SNAP has approximately 25 active submissions – EPA has been getting many more submissions in recent years, particularly for foams, air-conditioning, and refrigeration 56

## President’s Climate Action **Plan and HFCs**  • Continue International Diplomacy – Lead negotiations under the Montreal Protocol to phase down HFCs • Global phase down could reduce over 90 gigatons of CO 2 eq by 2050 , equal to roughly two years' wo rth of current global GHG emissions – Work with partners in the **Climate and Clean Air Coalition**  **to Reduce Short**  **- Lived**  **Climate Pollutants**  to promote climate -friendly alternatives to high - GWP HFCs, address standards, & 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 7 – Provide federal leadership by **purchasing cleaner alternatives**  **to HFCs** whenever feasible and by **transitioning to equipment using safer,**  **more sustainable**  **alternatives**

## What the Climate Action **Plan Means**  **for SNAP** • Prioritize review of alternatives that are safer for the climate – In the context of SNAP’s broader criteria – Innovative companies have invested in low- GWP alternatives – Forward - leaning manufacturers of advanced technologies and equipment can provide near-term reductions in emissions 

### • Support, fit within, broader HFC strategy – Listing additional low- GWP options positions U.S. industries to better meet potential future phasedown steps proposed under the Montreal Protocol – Responds to federal procurement needs to “purchase cleaner alternatives to HFCs whenever feasible” 8

# MVAC Options • Three low- GWP options listed by SNAP in recent years as acceptable subject to use conditions for new MVAC systems – HFC- 152a (R- 152a) in 2008 – HFO - 1234yf (R- 1234yf) in 2011 • New passenger cars and light-duty trucks only – CO 2 (R- 744) in 2012 – SNAP does not require use of any specific alternative, instead provides a menu of options • U.S. introduction of first MVACs with HFO 1234yf in 2012 – Additional models in 2013 **Ac ceptable**  **MV AC**  **Refrigerants & GWPs**  Refrigerant Global Wa rming Potential CFC- 12 10,900 HFC- 134a 1,430 HFC- 152a 124 HFO - 1234yf 4 CO 2 (R- 744) 1 9

# Other **MVAC Activities** • Light- Duty Motor Vehicle rule provides incentives for transition to low- GWP alternatives – Optional compliance credits available through MY 2025 • ~ 14 grams CO2eq for cars • ~ 17 grams CO2eq for trucks 

### • CAA Section 609 Activities – 609 Technician Training and Certification (TT&C) Update • All existing 609 TT&C programs required to update training and exam to incorporate information on new a lternatives – Developing NPRM to include servicing equipment for HFO - 1234yf • EPA intends to propose to adopt SAE standards: J2843 R- 1234yf R/R/R Equipment & J2851 Recovery Equipment for Contaminated Refrigerant 

### • Point-of

- Sale Brochure – Information on R- 1234yf, CO 2 and R- 152a – Increase technician and public awareness of alternative refrigerants 10

# Petition Status • NRDC, EIA and IGSD filed t hree petitions in 2010 & 2012 • First petition requested EPA remove HFC- 134a from list of acceptable substitutes, find it unacceptable for: – New motor vehicle ACs – Non - medical aerosols – Household, commercial refrigeration, foam blowing agents 

### • EPA found first petition **complete** for MVAC for new, lightduty vehicles only – Agreed to move forward with rulemaking looking at whether and when to remove HFC- 134a from MVACs 

### • EPA has not found other petitions complete 11

# Discussion Questions

# Discussion Questions: **Sector Transitions**  • In many sectors, SNAP is receiving an increased number of submissions. – Do you anticipate sharing new substitutes for MVAC with SNAP soon? – Do you foresee more transitions from existing alternatives? 

### • What benefits have you seen from transitions? – Decreased cost? Improved support for corporate sustainability goals? Better for the environment, performance? 

### • Where a transition has been made, particularly to climatefriendly alternatives, what benefits have you experienced from making the change? • What are barriers to adoption of safer alternatives? – What transition times are needed to adopt alternatives? – What end uses will require continued servicing and for how long? 13

# Additional **Discussion Questions**  • Under what circumstances/conditions would it make sense for EPA to change the listing status of certain high - GWP HFCs? • What are some ways that SNAP can help “encourage private-sector investment in low-emissions technolog [ ies](?)” • How can EPA provide a degree of certainty for future investments while “prohibiting certain uses of the most harmful” alternatives? • Can your company or trade association share additional data to inform our understanding of the MVAC market? 14

# Discussion