[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 85535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24929]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0643; FRL-12136-01-OAR]


Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Notice of Information 
Availability for Regulations Implementing the American Innovation and 
Manufacturing Act

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to alert stakeholders that the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published frequently 
asked questions related to the regulations implementing the American 
Innovation and Manufacturing Act. While the questions broadly cover 
topics on hydrofluorocarbons, the Act itself, and the three new 
programs established under the Act, the majority of these new and 
updated frequently asked question are related to the Technology 
Transitions program restrictions on the use of certain 
hydrofluorocarbons. The Agency has published and continues to update 
these frequently asked questions in the Frequent Questions on the 
Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons web area and in the existing rulemaking 
docket.

DATES: October 28, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Cain, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Stratospheric Protection Division, telephone number: 
202-564-1566; or email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fdcfef6f1b1def3f3f6ecf0f1dffaeffeb1f8f0e9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fbb89a9295d5ba979792889495bb9e8b9ad59c948d">[email protected]</span></a>. You may also 
visit EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction for 
further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 was 
enacted on December 27, 2020, and codified at 42 U.S.C. 7675. The AIM 
Act authorizes EPA to address climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons 
(HFCs) by providing new authorities in three main areas: to phase down 
the production and consumption of listed HFCs, manage these HFCs and 
their substitutes, and facilitate the transition to next-generation 
technologies through sector-based restrictions. Since the AIM Act was 
enacted, EPA has finalized a number of rulemakings that implement the 
AIM Act through three regulatory programs: the HFC Allowance Allocation 
Program, the Technology Transitions Program, and the Emissions 
Reduction and Reclamation Program. EPA has provided information to 
stakeholders about these three programs through our frequently asked 
questions web page.
    The majority of the questions and responses relate to the 
Technology Transitions final rule published on October 24, 2023 (88 FR 
73098). This rule facilitates sector-based transitions to next-
generation technologies, as specified in the AIM Act. The rule limits 
the use of HFCs in specific technology sectors and subsectors, such as 
foams, aerosols, and refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps. 
In most subsectors, EPA set a maximum global warming potential (GWP) 
limit on HFCs or HFC blends that can be used in new products and 
equipment. In a few subsectors, EPA listed the specific HFCs or HFC 
blends that are restricted. Compliance dates and GWP limits vary based 
on sector and subsector. The rule requires that new products and 
components using HFCs be labeled and that companies that manufacture or 
import such products or components using HFCs report information to 
EPA.
    Since the publication of the various AIM Act rulemakings, EPA has 
posted information for stakeholders in question-and-answer form to help 
stakeholders understand key aspects of these the rules across 
regulatory programs. To maintain transparency and ensure consistency, 
EPA has been providing answers to common stakeholder inquiries in the 
form of frequently asked questions.

II. What information is available and where is it located?

    EPA has published these frequently asked questions in the Frequent 
Questions on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons web page, available 
at: https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/frequent-questions-phasedown-hydrofluorocarbons. EPA has also entered a document with the 
same title and content as the web page noted above in the rulemaking 
docket titled ``Restrictions on Certain Uses of Hydrofluorocarbons 
under Subsection (i) of the American Innovation and Manufacturing 
Act.'' This docket can be accessed on Regulations.gov using Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0643. EPA intends to update the list of questions 
and answers on the website and in the docket periodically and may not 
issue a notice in the Federal Register each time that it does so.

Cynthia A. Newberg,
Director, Stratospheric Protection Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-24929 Filed 10-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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