Global HFC Phase-down, FSMA and Smart Buildings

Feb 08, 18 | Efficiency & Refrigerant Regulations, Refrigerants

Tags: E360 Webinar Regulations

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Note: This webinar was presented prior to the January 26, 2018 court rulings on SNAP 20 and 21.

View our most recent E360 webinar, “Regulations 2018: What’s Set, Pending and Proposed.”

Webinar Typing
In our most recent E360 webinar, I had the opportunity to present, alongside two of my Emerson colleagues, a discussion about what’s predicted on the 2018 regulatory horizon. As we enter the new year, the global HFC refrigerant phase-down continues in varying degrees in different regions around the globe. Here’s a summary of the current activity:

United States — Kigali amendment and the EPA

    • Although the U.S. has not yet ratified the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. State Department issued a statement on Nov. 23 in Montreal that it had “initiated steps to ratify” the amendment.
    • Also in 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit vacated Rule 20 and sent it back to the EPA for revision, stating in its ruling that the EPA had exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act, Section 612 to require replacements of HFCs. Petitions for a rehearing were filed by several third parties, including leading refrigerant manufacturers and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
    • Per EPA Rule 20, R-404A and R-507A are de-listed in new remote condensing units as of January 1, 2018.

Europe — F-Gas phase down

The year 2018 marks a significant drop in the F-Gas (i.e., HFCs) phase-down quota, from the previous 93% of the original baseline to 63%, where it currently resides. As a result, we are seeing an increase in HFC prices in Europe.

Canada — Kigali amendment and HFC ruling

Canada has ratified the guidelines set forth by the Kigali amendment. It has also issued a final HFC ruling that establishes a progressive phase-down schedule.

California Air Resources Board (CARB) — HFC phase-down effort

California has not only signaled its intent to adopt EPA Rules 20 and 21, its CARB initiative calls for even greater phase-down measures, making the target for future phase-downs as low as 150 GWP in certain applications.

Next, my colleguaes spoke on the topics of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and smart buildings.

FSMA — food safety and temperature management impacts

One of the ways food retailers can help prevent food-borne illnesses and comply with FSMA’s record-keeping requirements is by using automated temperature monitoring systems. These systems are easy to implement and provide proactive alerts to help prevent conditions that threaten food safety.

Smart buildings and the smart grid

While the concept of smart buildings with advanced building management and control system technologies is not new, the idea of equipping them with the tools that allow them to transact with services which are outside the building is. This ability to transact in real time when devices are connected can bring benefits not only to local electric utilities (which operate the grid) but also to building owners. There is increasing congressional interest in the potential benefits of smart buildings and their ability to not only respond to internal facility conditions but also consider outside factors such as real-time utility pricing.

To learn more about these topics, view this webinar in its entirety.