EPA considers rolling back HFC release rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a hearing on Oct. 16 to discuss rescinding a 2016 Section 608 Refrigerant Management Regulation that prohibits knowingly venting or releasing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) during maintenance, serving and repair processes. The regulation would still apply to ozone-depleting substances (ODS). EPA also is proposing to extend by six to 12 months the Jan. 1, 2019, compliance date for substitute refrigerants subject to the current venting prohibition. Jeff Longsworth, from NAFEM’s legal team at Barnes & Thornburg, represented the association at the public hearing. EPA is accepting written comments until Nov. 15. Details are available in the Federal Register.