US agrees to withdrawl of HFC-134a

The US Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to grant a petition filed by several NGOs to withdraw the agency’s approval of HFC-134a.

The move follows the organisations previous announcement that it has given official final approval to HFO1234yf for use in new cars and light trucks.

The petition will be followed by a formal “notice and comment” rulemaking to set the phase-out schedule.

Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, said: “Reducing all HFCs can produce a planet-saving 100 billion tonnes or more of CO2-equivalent in climate mitigation.

“We can get 30 per cent of this by outlawing HFCs in mobile air conditioning, as the European Union is already doing, starting with new models in 2011. And we can do it fast - easily in 7 years for new cars as required in Europe, or in as little as three years if automakers get serious about improving their cars.

Stephen Andersen, who organised the Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Partnership (MACCPP) during his time at EPA, said: “EPA’s decision will encourage a rapid market transformation using the best available technology, selected by industry, just in time to allow American automakers to sell their cars everywhere in the world.”

source: http://www.racplus.com/news/us-agrees-to-withdrawl-of-hfc-134a/8613230.article

ICARHMA Launches New Web Site: ICARHMA.org

NEWS RELEASE

March 21, 2011

 

Arlington, Va. (March 21, 2011) -- The International Council of Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Manufacturers Associations (ICARHMA) is pleased to announce the launch of a newly designed Web site. The site features a global calendar of HVACR industry events, the Council's policy statements, press releases, Council member's contacts, and a members-only center.

ICARHMA is a unique membership organization comprised of associations representing manufacturers of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, and the U.S. It serves as a forum for the discussion of issues affecting the global industry, including energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and other timely topics. AHRI serves as the Secretariat.

About ICARHMA

ICARHMA is an organization of associations representing manufacturers of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, and the U.S. It serves as a forum for the discussion of issues affecting the global air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating industry. ICARHMA members provide a valuable contribution to the global economy and to consumers world-wide.

About AHRI

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI's 300 member companies account for more than 90 percent of the residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment manufactured and sold in North America.

Canadian Officials Seize 5315 Cylinders of Illegally Imported HCFC-22

Record Seizure of More Than $1 Million of a Toxic Substance

Environment Canada News Release:


MONTRÉAL, Que. -- March 7, 2011 -- Following an investigation conducted by Environment Canada officers, the company Gestion Alexis Dionne Inc. and its president, Mr. Alexis Dionne, have accepted responsibility for the illegal importation of approximately 120,000 kg of chlorodifluoromethane (HFCF-22), a gas used in the refrigeration industry.

The company and its president have been charged with four counts of illegal importation of HFCF-22 between September 2008 and June 2009, in contravention of the Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations, 1998.

With the agreement of the Attorney General of Canada, they have signed on March 2, 2011, an Environmental Protection Alternative Measures Agreement (EPAM) as provided under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

The charges against company Gestion Alexis Dionne Inc. and its president, Mr. Alexis Dionne, follow an investigation conducted by Environment Canada officers in 2009 at a warehouse located in Saint-Jérôme, Québec, where 5,315 cylinders, or approximately 72,285 kg, of HCFC-22 were discovered and seized. This is a record seizure.

Among other things, the alternative measures imposed in the agreement signed by Gestion Alexis Dionne Inc. and its president, Mr. Dionne, provide consent to forfeit to Her Majesty in right of Canada the 5,315 cylinders of HCFC-22 seized (of which the market value is estimated at more than $1 million), the production and publication of an article in a specialized magazine and on the Gestion Alexis Dionne Inc. Internet site, as well as immediate voluntary payment of an amount of $4,500 to the Environmental Damages Fund.

This agreement will be in effect for a period of 36 months. If these conditions are not respected in their entirety during this period, the case will be brought before the court. This resolution is the result of an investigation by Environment Canada's Enforcement Branch.

The Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations, 1998, represent Canada's commitment to meeting its international obligations under the Montréal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Among other things, these Regulations control the import, export, manufacturing, use, sale and offering for sale of certain substances, including HCFC-22. These reductions are intended to prevent damages resulting from gradual destruction of the ozone layer and thus contribute to protecting the environment, health and human life.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!