Marc Karell
Over the last few months the USEPA has begun implementing rules to reduce GHG emissions. Not the traditional way by having affected facilities measure and reduce GHG emissions, but by encouraging operational changes to accomplish the same goal. Two rulings that can affect businesses are as follows:
1. Alternative refrigerants. This past December the USEPA announced approval of three alternative refrigerants to replace hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in commercial and household freezers which had previously been encouraged because of their negligible effects on stratospheric ozone. HFCs are potent GHGs with global warming potentials in the range of 93 to 12,100 (CO2’s GWP: 1). The use of propane, isobutane, and R-441A (a hydrocarbon blend known as HCR188C) are now suitable replacements for chlorofluorocarbon CFC-12 and hydrochlorofluorocarbon HCFC-22 in household refrigerators, freezers, combination units, and commercial stand-alone units.
According to the USEPA, such replacement of refrigerants will reduce GHG emissions by about 600,000 metric tons by 2020.
2. Heavy-duty engines and vehicles. Late last year, the USEPA also announced new GHG emission standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles, necessary due to a US Supreme Court ruling that required the USEPA to regulate GHG emissions from mobile sources. These standards apply to trucks, buses, heavy-duty pickups and vans, concrete mixers, ambulances, and similar heavy vehicles. Certain small business trucks and typical passenger vehicles are exempt.
As summarized in 40 CFR Part 1037, beginning with model year 2014, heavy duty vehicles must meet fleet average GHG emission standards for CO2, N2O, and CH4, generally in g/mile. Standards will be more stringent in future years. They differ whether the model is spark- or compression-ignition. HFCs, common refrigerant in such vehicles, are regulated by leak rate. Leakage cannot exceed 1.50% per year. The burden of compliance is on the vehicle manufacturer, who must obtain proper certification. The business or vehicle consumer or user is not obligated to report or perform any testing.
