Cindy Newberg, Chief

Alternatives and Emissions Reduction BranchOffice of Atmospheric ProgramsU.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Proposed SNAP Regulations

August 1, 2014
Why are HFCs a Concern? 

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 HFCs are synthetic fluorinated greenhouse gases (GHGs)  Use and emissions of HFCs are growing rapidly, because they a

replacement for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) being phasunder the Montreal Protocol

 Globally, 2004 to 2008 emissions 

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 to 3 percent by 2020 and triple by 2030
What Does the President’s Climate A

Plan Say about HFCs

?

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 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 emis

 Work with partners in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduc

Lived Climate Pollutants to promote climate-friendly alternatives to hGWP HFCs, address technical standards, and reduce emissions from HF

 Address HFCs through domestic actions

 Use existing Clean Air Act authority of Significant New Alternatives P

(SNAP) Program to approve climate-friendly chemicals, prohibit some most harmful

• Provide federal leadership by purchasing cleaner 

alternatives to HFCs whenever feasible and by transitioning to equipment using safe, more sustainable alternatives
EPA Took Immediate Steps to Evalua

Opportunities/Develop Proposed Rulem

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 Sought deeper understanding of the range of alternat

ongoing transitions, where & why options are limited

 Engaged with stakeholders:

 Held two large stakeholder meetings to discuss initial thinki Held seven sector-specific workshops  Held numerous other meetings with individual stakeholder

 Evaluated the potential benefits of various options Developed two proposed rules under EPA’s SNAP pr

 First proposes to expand the list of acceptable alternatives Second proposes to find certain HFCs unacceptable for spec
SNAP Program

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 Evaluates substitutes and list as acceptable those that r

overall risk to human health & environment; list acceuse conditions if needed to ensure safe use; list as una

 Industrial sectors include:

 Aerosols, Foams, Refrigeration and A/C, Solvents, 

Fire Suppression, Adhesives, Coatings, Inks, etc

 Since 1994 400+ substitutes reviewed considering: 

 Ozone-Depleting Potential Global Warming Potential Flammability Toxicity Local Air Quality Ecosystem Effects Occupational & Consumer Health/Safety
2014: Lower- 2014: Lower-GWP Refrigerants GWP Refrigerants

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Refrigerant GWP

End Use and Application 

Household 

Refrigerators

Retail

refrigerator 

stand-alone

Vending

Very Low Temp 

Ref

Heat Transfer

Ethane 6 √ √Iso-butane 8 √ √Propane 3 √ √ R-441A (HC blend) <5 √ √ HFC-32 675 

 SNAP continues to add new climate-friendly options

 These flammable refrigerants were recently proposed as acceptabl

conditions that adopt safety standards
Status Change Proposed Rule

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 Proposes certain HFCs unacceptable for specific end-uses with 

dates starting over the next few years

 Sectors include: aerosols, foams, motor vehicle air-condition

commercial refrigeration

 Estimated to result in 31-42 MMTCO

2eq avoided emissions 

 Relied on same SNAP principles we have used for past 20 

 SNAP rules 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 blends (e.g., HFC/HFO blends) may be listed 

use if risk not greater than other available substitutes 

 Recognize timing is a critical dimension and that each end u

considerations 

 Proposal seeks comments on technical challenges such as availa

alternatives, need for changes to manufacturing processes, safeand the ability to meet the proposed compliance dates 
Proposed Changes to SNAP List

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Change of Status Rule:

END Use/ Proposed Date

Proposed Change

Aerosols

January 2016

 HFC-134a unacceptable except for so

medical aerosols including MDIs 

 HFC-125, -227ea (except MDIs) unac

Motor vehicle A/CModel year 2021

 HFC-134a unacceptable 

Foams

January 2017

 HFC-134a and blends thereof unaccep HFC-245fa and HFC-365mfc and HFC 

unacceptable in all foam blowing end-usfoam applications

Supermarket systems: remote condensing units, new (& retrofits from ODS)

January 2016

 Certain HFCs unacceptable: HFC-227ea, R-404A, R-407B, R-421B, RR-422D, R-428A, R-434A, and R-507A

Stand-alone retail food refrigeration, vending machines: new

January 2016

 Certain HFCs unacceptable: HFC-134a, R-404A, R-407A, R-407C, R

blends

Stand-alone retail food refrigeration, vending machines: retrofits from ODS

January 2016

 Certain HFCs unacceptable: R-404A a
HFC Emissions Reductions HFC Emissions Reductions

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Near term changeprovide both near long term benefits

Avoided emissions from proposal estimated 31-42 MMTCO2eq in 2020
Next Steps

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 Develop final regulations 

 Low GWP Refrigerants rule

 Public comment period closes September 8, 2014 

 Status Change Rule

 NRPM to be published  Public comment period to close 60 days from publication

 Continue to consider the SNAP list

 Additional alternatives under evaluation

 Notices and proposed rules

 These rules should be seen as part of the series 

 Continue to engage with stakeholders
Thank You!

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