April ’22 at-a-glance … environment

HFC allocations announced, further reductions discussed

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) producing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is a key priority of the Biden administration as it works toward the goal of reducing GHGs by 50 – 52 percent by 2030, from 2005 levels, and moving to a net-zero GHG economy by 2050. On April 5, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued initial hydrofluorocarbon allowances to applicants that met the criteria outlined in the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The AIM Act directs EPA to manage HFCs by phasing down the production and consumption of listed HFCs, managing these HFCs and their substitutes, and facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies.

At NAFEM’s recent CRE Task Group meeting, Lauren MacGowens, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and Rajan Rajendran, Emerson Technologies discussed a possible 2026 phasedown schedule and building code implications for the production and use of HFCs. NAFEM will continue to participate in these discussions.