Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1512218
O ver the past two years, there has been quite a bit of new regulatory activ- ity in the United States regarding refrigerants. The following is a general overview of some recent developments for your aware- ness. Federal and state regulations con- tinue to evolve so be sure to stay up to date with current issues that may impact your ice rink. AIM Act On December 27, 2020, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act was signed into law. The AIM Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to control and manage the production and con- sumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) in the United States. What are HFCs? HFCs are a group of chemicals that are primarily used in applications such as air conditioning and refrigeration, but also have other uses such as foam insu- lation, fire extinguishing systems and aerosol propellants. HFCs have zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), how- ever many have high Global Warming Potential (GWP), therefore they are con- sidered a major contributor to climate change. HFCs are being phased down worldwide in accordance with the Kigali Amendment (2016) to the Montreal Protocol treaty (1987). HFC Phasedown In September 2021, the EPA issued Final Rule – Phasedown of HFCs: Establishing the allowance allocation and trading program under the AIM Act. This rule outlined consumption and production allowance caps and a phasedown schedule reducing the use of HFCs by 85% over the next 15 years. The phasedown started January 1, 2022 with a 10% reduction, fol- lowed by further reductions in subsequent years to reach 15% of the 2021 baseline by the year 2036. This rule did not address HFC use restrictions or GWP limits. Proposed GWP Limits In December 2022, the EPA published Proposed Rule – Phasedown of HFCs: Restrictions on the use of certain HFCs under subsection (i) of the AIM Act. The proposed rule outlined restrictions on the use of certain HFCs. This proposed 38 / NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2023 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: DANFOSS.COM, AC-HEATINGCONNECT.COM HFC Phasedown & GWP Limits by JEFF THEILER, CIRM, CIM REFRIGERANT REGULATION UPDATE p TO STAY UP TO DATE with current and proposed rules related to the AIM Act and/or HFC Phasedown in the United States, visit the EPA's website: epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction