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This page last reviewed January 21, 2010


Stationary Equipment Refrigerant Management Program

Background

image of grocery store refrigerated case and compressor roomAs part of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) the ARB approved an early action measure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stationary sources through refrigerant leak detection and monitoring, leak repair, system retirement and retrofitting, reporting and recordkeeping, and proper refrigerant cylinder use, sale, and disposal.  The refrigerant management program is a strategy to implement this early action.

High-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), and perfluorocarbons (PFC), are used in a large variety of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.  Currently, ozone depleting substance (ODS) high-GWP GHG refrigerant production and importation phase-out (CFC and HCFC refrigerants), record-keeping, leak repair, technician certification, reclaimer certification, recovery equipment specifications, sales restrictions, and prohibition on venting is regulated by the U.S. EPA under Title VI of the US Clean Air Act. The only regulation that extends to ODS substitutes (including HFC refrigerants) is the prohibition on venting. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued Rule 1415 in 1991.  The SCAQMD Rule 1415 has similar requirements to the U.S. EPA rule.  The refrigerant management program is designed to complement the federal and SCAQMD regulations and provide better control of emissions of both ODS and ODS substitute refrigerants.

The refrigerant management program is designed to: 1) reduce emissions of high-GWP GHG refrigerants from leaky stationary, non-residential refrigeration equipment; 2) reduce emissions from the installation and servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances using high-GWP refrigerants; and 3) verify GHG emission reductions.  The strategy of the regulation includes: registration; refrigerant leak detection and monitoring; leak repair; reporting and recordkeeping; system retrofit or retirement planning; required service practices; and refrigerant distributor, wholesaler, and reclaimer prohibitions, recordkeeping, and reporting.


What's New

On December 9, 2009 the California Air Resources Board approved The Management of High Global Warming Potential Refrigerants For Stationary Sources regulation (commonly known as the Refrigerant Management Program).  The regulation is scheduled to go into effect January 2011; until then we will outreach to facilities that will be impacted to inform them of the provisions of the regulation.

The "formal" regulatory materials can be accessed from our rulemaking webpage at the following address:
 http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2009/gwprmp09/gwprmp09.htm

What's Next  (Please sign up on the list serve (click on the "Join Any reftrack Email List" in the left navigation bar) to receive notification of new activities.)

Rulemaking Updates (Please see the rulemaking webpage for information):

A supplemental 15-Day Notice will be published to solicit comments on minor regulatory changes.

The Final Statement of Reasons (FSOR) will be published.

General Information and Implementation Efforts:

Throughout 2010: Outreach to affected facilities.  During 2010 we will seek to identify facilities that will be subject to the regulation and inform them of its provisions.  Facilities can receive notification of new activities and developments by signing up for our e-mail list serve in the left navigation bar.

Fall 2010: Training on refrigeration practices and regulatory requirements will be offered by ARB.

January 1, 2011: The regulation goes into effect.  Facilities with stationary refrigeration systems subject to the regulation begin refrigerant leak detection inspections and continuous monitoring, leak repair, retrofit and retirement planning, required services practices, and recordkeeping.  Refrigerant distributors, wholesalers, and reclaimers begin recordkeeping and prohibitions on high-GWP refrigerant purchase, sale, and disposal.  Required service practices apply to any person that performs installation, maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of an appliance with high-GWP refrigerant.

On or before March 1, 2012: Facilities with large refrigeration systems register; begin annual payment of implementation fees; and begin annual submittal of facility stationary refrigeration reports of system servicing, leak repair, refrigerant purchases and use, and inspection/monitoring results.  Refrigerant distributors, wholesalers, and reclaimers begin submitting annual reports.

On or before March 1, 2014: Facilities with medium refrigeration systems register; begin annual payment of implementation fees; and begin annual submittal facility stationary refrigeration reports of system servicing, leak repair, refrigerant purchases and use, and inspection/monitoring results.

On or before March 1, 2016: Facilities with small refrigeration systems submit registration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF 53KB)

Best Management Practices pamphlet (PDF 846KB) (printer ready version)


For additional information please contact:
       Charles Seidler staff lead (916) 327-8493
       Pamela Gupta Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Section Manager (916) 327-0604

 
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