*** R-22 UPDATE ***
EPA Proposed Rule is an Industry "Call to Action"
On January 4, the U.S. EPA published a proposed rule to adjust and reduce HCFC production and consumption allowances (the right to produce and/or import virgin R-22) in 2012 through 2014.
The reductions being proposed by the EPA are significant—ranging from 11% to 47% per year over the period 2012 – 2014. In 2012, reductions could be as high as 45% versus 2011. The rationale for these proposed reductions is based upon EPA collected industry data: 1) significant inventory in the value chain; 2) increased reclaim capacity; and 3) supermarket retrofits to HFCs have created additional supply of used R-22.
Below is a summary of the proposed R-22 allowance restrictions ased on the 2009 Final Rule:
|
|
|
| 2012 |
55 - 80 |
90 |
| 2013 |
46 - 69 |
79 |
| 2014 |
36 - 58 |
69 |
What can you do? To protect your business, develop and implement a Refrigerant Management Plan (RMP) that includes managing your R-22 inventory. Return recovered R-22 and other refrigerants to a DuPont Authorized Reclaim Center. All recovered refrigerants are handled in an environmentally responsible manner according to the EPA Reclaimer Certification Program under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
