Cindy Newberg, ChiefAlternatives and Emissions Reduction BranchOffice of Atmospheric ProgramsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyProposed SNAP RegulationsAugust 1, 2014Why are HFCs a Concern?2HFCs are synthetic fluorinated greenhouse gases (GHGs)Use and emissions of HFCs are growing rapidly, because they arereplacement for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) being phased outunder the Montreal ProtocolGlobally, 2004 to 2008 emissionsincreased by about 8% per year; leftunchecked, emissions could rise tonearly 20% of total carbon dioxideemissions by 2050In the United States, emissions ofHFCs are expected to double fromcurrent levels of 1.5 percent ofgreenhouse gas emissions to 3percent by 2020 and triple by 2030UNEP 2011What Does the President’s Climate ActionPlan Say about HFCs?3Continue international diplomacyLead negotiations under the Montreal Protocol to phase down HFCsGlobal phase down could reduce over 90 gigatons of CO2eq by2050, equal to roughly two years worth of current global GHG emissionsWork with partners in theClimate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce ShortLived Climate Pollutantsto promote climate-friendly alternatives to highGWP HFCs, address technical standards, and reduce emissions from HFC useAddress HFCs through domestic actionsUse existing Clean Air Act authority ofSignificant New Alternatives Policy(SNAP) Programto approve climate-friendly chemicals, prohibit some uses ofmost harmful•Provide federal leadership bypurchasing cleaneralternatives to HFCswhenever feasible and bytransitioning to equipment using safe, moresustainable alternativesEPA Took Immediate Steps to EvaluateOpportunities/Develop Proposed Rulemakings4Sought deeper understanding of the range of alternatives,ongoing transitions, where & why options are limited, and moreEngaged with stakeholders:Held two large stakeholder meetings to discuss initial thinkingHeld seven sector-specific workshopsHeld numerous other meetings with individual stakeholdersEvaluated the potential benefits of various optionsDeveloped two proposed rules under EPA’s SNAP program:First proposes to expand the list of acceptable alternativesSecond proposes to find certain HFCs unacceptable for specific end usesSNAP Program5Evaluates substitutes and list as acceptable thosethat reduceoverall risk to human health & environment; list acceptable withuse conditions if needed to ensure safe use; list as unacceptableIndustrial sectors include:Aerosols, Foams, Refrigeration and A/C, Solvents,Fire Suppression, Adhesives, Coatings, Inks, etcSince 1994 400+ substitutes reviewed considering:Ozone-Depleting PotentialGlobal Warming PotentialFlammabilityToxicityLocal Air QualityEcosystem EffectsOccupational & Consumer Health/Safety2014: Lower2014: Lower--GWP RefrigerantsGWP Refrigerants6Refrigerant GWPEnd Use and Application

Household Refrigerators Retail refrigerator stand-alone Vending Very Low Temp Ref Heat Transfer Home ACSelf-containedEthane 6



# √ √Iso-butane 8 

# √ √Propane 3 

# √ √ √R-441A (HC blend) <5 

# √ √ √HFC-32 675 

# √SNAP continues to add new climate-friendly optionsThese flammable refrigerants were recently proposedas acceptable withuseconditions that adopt safety standardsStatus Change Proposed Rule7Proposes certain HFCs unacceptable for specific end-uses with compliancedates starting over the next few yearsSectors include: aerosols, foams, motor vehicle air-conditioning andcommercial refrigerationEstimated to result in 31-42 MMTCO2eq avoided emissions in 2020Relied on same SNAP principles we have used for past 20 years:SNAP rules consider individual end-usesNo across the board GWP cut offsNo prohibition on HFCs as a whole, or in any one sectorNew HFCs or blends (e.g., HFC/HFO blends) may be listed for an enduse if risk not greater than other available substitutesRecognize timing is a critical dimension and that each end use has uniqueconsiderationsProposal seeks comments on technical challenges suchas availability ofalternatives, need for changes to manufacturing processes, safety upgradesand the ability to meet the proposed compliance datesProposed Changes to SNAP List8Change of Status Rule:END Use/ Proposed DateProposed ChangeAerosolsJanuary 2016HFC-134a unacceptable except for some technical andmedical aerosols including MDIsHFC-125, -227ea (except MDIs) unacceptableMotor vehicle A/CModel year 2021HFC-134a unacceptableFoamsJanuary 2017HFC-134a and blends thereof unacceptableHFC-245fa and HFC-365mfc and HFC blendsunacceptable in all foam blowing end-uses except for sprayfoam applicationsSupermarket systems: remote condensingunits, new (& retrofits from ODS)January 2016Certain HFCs unacceptable:HFC-227ea, R-404A, R-407B, R-421B, R-422A, R-422C,R-422D, R-428A, R-434A, and R-507AStand-alone retail foodrefrigeration, vendingmachines: newJanuary 2016Certain HFCs unacceptable:HFC-134a, R-404A, R-407A, R-407C, R-507A, otherblendsStand-alone retail food refrigeration,vending machines: retrofits from ODSJanuary 2016Certain HFCs unacceptable: R-404A and R-507AHFC EmissionsHFC Emissions ReductionsReductions9Near term changes canprovide both near andlong term benefitsAvoided emissions fromproposal estimated31-42 MMTCO2eq in 2020Next Steps10Develop final regulationsLow GWP Refrigerants rulePublic comment period closes September 8, 2014Status Change RuleNRPM to be publishedPublic comment period to close 60 days from publicationContinue to consider the SNAP listAdditional alternatives under evaluationNotices and proposed rulesThese rules should be seen as part of the seriesContinue to engage with stakeholdersProducts shown arefor illustrativepurposes only; EPAdoes not endorsespecific products.Thank You!11