The document outlines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's efforts in phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in mobile vehicle air conditioning systems, emphasizing the importance of regulatory and voluntary initiatives to transition to safer alternatives. It highlights achievements under the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act, alongside the introduction of next-generation refrigerants. Future directions involve evaluating lower-gwp options and enhancing service practices to mitigate environmental impacts.

1. United Nations Environment Programme International Workshop on next-generation technologies for Mobile Vehicles’ Air Conditioning June 3, 2010 Stratospheric Protection Division

2. Scope of Briefing Overview of EPA’s Ozone Layer Protection Program Transition from ODS in motor vehicle air conditioning Regulatory Voluntary Initiatives Future alternatives in Ref A/C sectors?

3. The Montreal Protocol has slowed and reversed the accumulation of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) in stratosphere By 2165, actions to protect the ozone layer will prevent millions of U.S. skin cancer deaths EPA SunWise program in 22,000 schools K-8 UV Index UNEP/WMO Ozone Assessment, 2006 (Effective stratospheric chlorine is the weighted sum of chlorine and bromine gases in the stratosphere.) Turn Off Production Tap & Improve Public Health

4. Then and Now: Progress in Ozone Protection

5. CAA Tools Encourage Smooth Transitions Conserve and Manage Existing Supplies U.S. Clean Air Act (CAA) Title VI Section 604/605 phaseout on production and consumption of ODS Section 608 safe disposal requirements Safe disposal requirements for small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioners at end-of-life Section 609 motor vehicle a/c service requirements Restriction on the sale of small cans of CFC-12 Required technician training Mandatory service requirements for MVACs Section 612 identify safer alternatives to ODS in Ref A/C systems (SNAP) HFC-152a (Aug 2008) R-744 (Mar 1994) HFO-1234yf (Oct 2009) Complementary voluntary programs that encourage safer outcomes Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Partnership GreenChill for Supermarkets Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program

6. MVAC Refrigerants CFC-12 (or R-12) 100 yr atmospheric lifetime Potent ozone depleting potential (ODP = 1.0 ) Also contributes to climate change (GWP ~ 10,890 WMO) HFC-134a (or R-134a) 14 yr atmospheric lifetime Non-ODS (ODP = 0) Greenhouse gas (GWP ~ 1400) Future in U.S.??

7. Statutory Requirements CAA §609 no later than 1991 required EPA to promulgate regulations establishing standards and requirements regarding the servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners No person repairing or servicing motor vehicles for consideration may perform any service on a motor vehicle air conditioner involving the refrigerant for such air conditioner without properly using approved refrigerant recycling equipment and no such person may perform such service unless such person has been properly trained and certified. Certification that each person performing service on motor vehicle air conditioners for consideration shall certify to EPA that they have acquired, and are properly using approved refrigerant recycling equipment in service on motor vehicle air conditioners involving refrigerant and that each individual authorized by such person to perform such service is properly trained and certified Prohibit the sale and distribution of any ozone depleting refrigerant suitable for use in an MVAC in a container which contains less than 20 pounds of such refrigerant.

8. Refrigerant Choices 1987 MONTREAL PROTOCOL FUTURE? Future is still not certain in the U.S. unknown. 1950 HCFC CFC NH3 1930 CFC NH3 CO2 HC 2010 HCFC HFC NH3 CO2 HCs 1990 HFC CFC HCFC NH3

9. Refrigeration and A/C Sectors Across the board HCFC-22 Industrial Process Refrigeration HFC-134a R-404A HCFC-22 Transport Refrigeration (ship, rail, truck cargo HFC-134a R-410A R-407C Ammonia HC CFC-11 HCFC-22 HCFC-123 Chillers HFC blend R-410A HCFC-22 Residential a/c (split and heat pumps) HFC blends (R-404A, R-507, R-422D) HCFC-22 Supermarket refrigeration HFC-134a HCFC-22 Residential Dehumidifiers N/A HFC-134a/HCFC-141b foam Residential freezers HFC blend R-152a, CO2, HFO-1234yf HFC-134a Motor vehicle a/c HFC blends R-410A and R-407A available HCFC-22 Window a/c HFC-134a HFC-245fa HCFC-141b foam HFC-134a foam N/A HFC-134a Residential refrigerators Possible Transition in the U.S. Current Refrigerant (majority of sector new sales) Sector

10. Expanding Alternatives Menu: Some ref/AC transitioned to high-GWP HFCs; some are moving beyond Current SNAP activities includes evaluating substitutes that, compared to current options, offer significantly lower- or no-GWP options: HFO-1234yf NPRM proposed for MVACs, final rule under development Supports OTAQ GHG rule CO2 NODA issued for MVACs, final rule under development CO2 found acceptable (Notice 24) for commercial refrigeration HC domestic refrigeration NPRM issued 5/10/10 Key sectors still need choices, i.e., unitary

11. Some ref/AC uses have transitioned from ODS to HFCs; some have not SNAP evaluating substitutes that, compared to current options, offer significantly lower- or no-GWP choices Lower-GWP alternatives in SNAP review (examples): Hydrocarbon (HC) ice cream cabinets HCs for refrigerators, freezers, self-contained refrigeration equipment, and window AC units Residential refrigerator/freezer with HC refrigerant New motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) alternative with 99.7% lower GWP Supermarket refrigeration using CO 2 as a refrigerant MVAC using R-1234yf, HFC-152a (finalized) or CO 2 What’s Ahead for SNAP : Expanded Menu 14

12. Title VI Regulatory Initiatives & Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Partnership SNAP Program International standard for ODS alternatives review Menu approach not mandate or endorsement of specific alternatives Next generation of air conditioning technology- HFO -1234yf Component of OTAQ rulemaking on tailpipe emissions reduction PMN under TSCA still ongoing SNAP review still ongoing Sec 608/609 Service Practices to reduce emissions of CFC-12 and HFC-134a Work with MACS and SAE to adopt recovery/recycling equipment standards into regulation Adopted MACS training requirements into mandatory technician certification program Mandatory recovery of refrigerant prior to auto shredding or crushing MAACPP reduces the environmental impact of mobile air conditioning recovery and recycling of CFC-12 and HFC-134a refrigerants development of new, environmentally superior air conditioning technologies increased cooling efficiency improved service procedures end-of-life servicing MAACPP provided Partnership with industry groups Research cooperation Development and testing of next-generation mobile air conditioning systems, and Technical assistance

13. Next Steps Thanks for your time! Julius Banks Team Lead, Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Programs U.S. EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Stratospheric Protection Division (202) 343-9870 [email_address] www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html