This page last reviewed May 26, 2009

Background:

As part of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) the ARB has 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.  This web page is to provide information as the process proceeds in developing the strategy to implement this early action.


High-global warming potential (GWP) GHG, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), and perfluorocarbons (PFC), are used in a large variety of applications, including refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems, foams, fire extinguishing, solvent cleaning, consumer products, and industrial processes such as electrical insulation, semiconductor manufacturing, and photovoltaic cell/film manufacturing.

Currently, ozone depleting substance (ODS) production and importation phase-out, record-keeping, maintenance/leak repair, technician certification, reclaimer certification, recovery equipment specifications, sales restrictions, and prohibition on venting is regulated under Title VI of the US Clean Air Act. The only regulation that extends to ODS substitutes (including HFC) is the prohibition on venting, which is not defined quantitatively.

Strategy Description: The proposed strategy could include: 1) refrigerant leak detection and monitoring; 2) leak repair; 3) system retirement and retrofitting; 4) reporting and recordkeeping; 5)  expanding and enforcing required service practices to reduce discharge of all high-GWP GHG during equipment lifetime and end-of-life (EOL); 6) refrigerant distributor, wholesaler, and reclaimer reporting; and 7)  requiring technician certification for all high-GWP GHG sales and service of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

What's New

ARB staff received several comments on the proposed regulation and is currently reviewing the comments, possible changes to the draft regulation and other board documents.  More time is needed to make sure all the comments and concerns can be addressed in a careful manner.  Therefore, the Refrigerant Management Program will not be going to the board as per schedule in May 2009.   ARB staff will send another notification on the revised board hearing schedule for this program. 

Draft Regulation (February 2009)

Draft Regulation (PDF 1,315KB)

Technical Appendices -
   1. Appendix A: California Facilities and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory - High-Global Warming Potential Stationary Source Refrigerant Management Program (PDF 1,235KB)
   2. Appendix B: Economic Impact Estimates - High-Global Warming Potential Stationary Source Refrigerant Management Program (PDF 583KB)
   3. Summary of changes in the regulation (PDF 18KB)

These appendices will present the technical review of staff’s research and analysis on the baseline 2010 and 2020 business-as-usual and post rule implementation emissions inventory, potential emissions reductions, and costs related to the Refrigerant Management Program proposed regulation. 

For additional information please contact

Jeff Cohen staff lead (916) 327-8532
Charles Seidler staff lead (916) 327-8493
Pamela Gupta Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Section Manager (916) 327-0604