Daniel Stouffer offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print. Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum. ----------- PUBLICATION GUIDELINES - You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety. - Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity. - Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only. - If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure that all URLs and email addresses are active links. - Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to [email protected] - Article Marketer (www.ArticleMarketer.com) has distributed this article on behalf of the author. Article Marketer does not own this article, please respect the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this article. ----------- Article Title: Next Steps in the Phaseout of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Refrigerants Author: Daniel Stouffer Category: Environment, Regulatory Compliance, Strategic Planning Word Count: 534 Keywords: ODS, Ozone Depleting Substances, refrigerant tracking, HCFC phase out, refrigerant gases, verisae Author's Email Address: [email protected] Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com ------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------
The next step in the phase out of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), as outlined by the US Clean Air Act for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requires the establishment of rules for phasing out consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODs). Two classes of ODs are outlined in phase out requirements: * Class I - including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Except in the use of feedstock and minor essential uses, CFC has already been banned for consumption. * Class II - focuses on incremental step-downs over the next two decades. This is the category of refrigerant gases into which HCFCs are classified. The effort to reduce Ozone Depleting Substances began with a global treaty 21 years ago when the Montreal Protocol was ratified by more than 190 countries. It's important to note that participation globally in the reduction of ODS is critical in order to reduce overall emissions and to the betterment of the environment. All countries must cooperation because once refrigerant gases, carbon emissions, or ODS reaches the atmosphere all societies worldwide will feel the effect. The impact of ozone depletion is same worldwide no matter where the emissions originate. Current ruling on US EPA allowances for HCFS extend through 2009, although the EPA has begun work on new rulings for 2010. The percent reduction which uses cap as baseline for the US for 2010 is 65.0. No production or importation of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b, except for servicing of equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010 is the first line compliance regulation set forth by the EPA. Following along by 2015, the percent reduction will be 90.0 with the compliance regulation stating: No production or importation of HCFCs, except for use as refrigerants in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2020. The percentage increases in 2020 to 99.5 with no production or importation of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b and in 2030 to 100.0 with the compliance regulation of no production or importation of HCFCs. Using the Montreal Protocol as the baseline for percentages in reduction, it does not, however, specify the means of ODS elimination. The highest total ozone depletion in the atmosphere is the result of HCFC in greatest contribution. Many refrigerants contain HCFCs. This will require alterations in those industries that produce products that include HCFCs, greater monitoring of refrigerant leaks, tracking of refrigerant gases, and overall attempt to reduce emissions. Regular compliance, fines, and legal action by the government will provide a direct method to enforce refrigerant reporting to federal and state agencies. The EPA currently has some mandatory reporting of refrigerant leaks and usage. Many other states, such as California, are and will pass must stricter legislation requiring all AC or HVAC systems with refrigerant gas amounts over 50 pounds to be continuously monitored with annual system registration and refrigerant usage reporting. These new laws will begin to phase in by 2010 with refrigerant data collected over 2009 being the starting point. Since the inception of the Montreal protocol, the importance of placing greater focus on protecting the ozone layer has already shown decreases in ozone depleting substances. One can only reinforce the importance of accurate record keeping and refrigerant data management as new laws specifically targeting the reduction in refrigerant gas emissions as well as the growing, Global mandatory carbon emission protocols. Daniel Stouffer is the Product Manager for Refrigerant Tracker. This web-based software makes it easy to monitor, manage, and report refrigerant gas usage. Stay in compliance with refrigerant management laws. Learn about Verisae's Refrigerant Tracker visit -- http://www.Refrigerant-Tracker.com ------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
