December 16, 2009—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced two final rules intended to further cut ozone-depleting pollutants, protecting the Earth’s ozone layer and reducing harmful greenhouse gases.
The rules reduce the availability and use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which EPA says are primarily used as refrigerants and harm the ozone layer.
The first rule prohibits the use of specific HCFCs to manufacture new air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment beginning in 2010, while allowing limited HCFC use to service existing equipment.
The second rule prohibits the sale, distribution and import of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances and their components containing certain HCFCs that are manufactured or imported after January 1, 2010.
The 2010 HCFC Regulations advance U.S. compliance under the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
