June ’22 at-a-glance … environment

States considering individual actions to limit HFCs

Several U.S. states, including Colorado, New York and California, have or are considering expanding hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) reductions beyond those currently in place at the federal level.

• Colorado recently signed into law House Bill 1345 prohibiting the sale or distribution of certain products that contain intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals. Cookware was removed from the proposed list of products.
• New York’s Refrigerant Regulation Part 494 proposes to adopt prohibitions that had been in effect in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), expand the list of substances, include new types of equipment end-uses, and introduce new requirements to address refrigerant leakage and disposal. Comments are due June 30.
• California’s Senate Bill 1206 currently in committee would prohibit bulk hydrofluorocarbons or bulk blends containing hydrofluorocarbons that exceed a specified global warming potential (GWP) limit beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and lower GWP limits beginning Jan. 1,2030, and Jan. 1, 2033. The bill would require the state to initiate a rulemaking requiring low and ultra-low GWP alternatives in all sectors where it is practicable.

“NAFEM’s position is that we need a federally coordinated approach to HFC phase-downs, rather than a state-by-state patchwork of regulations that hamper member’s abilities to conduct business nationwide,” said Charlie Souhrada, CFSP, vice president of regulatory and technical affairs.

Recyc-Quebec agrees to coalition plan for cold-side appliance recovery program

Following an April 14 presentation by the working group, Recyc-Quebec (R-Q) has agreed to the recommended plan to establish a nonprofit organization (NPO) to develop and implement the required extended-producer responsibility program for commercial and institutional refrigeration and freezer equipment. R-Q gave the working group a 90-day extension to launch an accredited program by Sept. 1.

The new NPO – the Commercial Appliance Recovery Society (SORAC) – is seeking feedback to a questionnaire distributed April 19 to develop a market study. If your company has not received the study and is interested in providing input, contact sophie@cycleenvironment.com. SORAC will provide information on membership by early July. It also is planning an informational webinar in the near future. SORAC’s email address is info@sorac.ca.