Sponsored by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, this measure sets a maximum limit or, global warming potential (GWP), threshold on the HFCs used in stationary air conditioning and refrigeration, and mandates that a refrigerant management program be created to combat HFC releases from large existing sources.
Using HFC alternatives in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment is critical and Washington is not alone in its pursuit. California recently adopted similar measures. Environmentalists and industry alike have asked EPA to adopt GWP limits for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, modeled after California’s. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) also called on EPA to use California’s regulations as a model.
Still, Washington has emerged as a leader in combating HFC emissions and its actions show how states are raising the ambition for federal action. States have been essential in advancing HFC action and are now carving a clear and ambitious path to not only implement but potentially accelerate the HFC phasedown nationwide.
Minimizing releases will avoid climate damage
HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are extremely potent climate warmers—once released into the atmosphere they are thousands of times more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. HFCs and their ozone depleting predecessors (CFCs, HCFCs) were commonly used as coolants in air conditioning and refrigeration. These refrigerants are circulating within existing systems like supermarket and commercial air conditioning equipment. A fraction of their charge is released each year because of leaks, servicing practices or system failures.
Best practices to minimize unnecessary releases from large cooling equipment can go a long way in ensuring that those harmful chemicals don’t reach the atmosphere. These practices will soon become a requirement through Washington’s refrigerant management program mandated by HB 1050.
Next generation of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment will use climate-friendlier refrigerants
HB 1050 calls on industry to supply Washington state’s consumers and businesses with the newest, climate-friendliest air conditioning and refrigeration technology available. Refrigerants used in air conditioning equipment must have a GWP no higher than 750. The measure comes into effect on:
- January 1, 2023, for dehumidifiers and room air conditioners
- January 1, 2025, for other types of stationary air conditioning and refrigeration equipment
- January 1, 2026, for systems with variable refrigerant flow (VRFs)
Washington State will need to update its building codes to the latest safety standards to allow for the use of the alternative refrigerants HB 1050 requires that building codes are updated prior to the regulations. HFC legislation enacted in 2019 had already mandated a series of building code updates. This year’s measures will require additional amendments to the building codes, and we look to Washington to demonstrate the same leadership that has brought the state at the forefront of HFC action.
Measures reduce HFC reliance and raise ambition for federal action
The newly enacted measures reduce the state’s reliance on these harmful climate warming gases at a critical moment. In December 2020, the U.S. Congress enacted the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which will phasedown the supply of HFCs over the next 15 years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with implementing the phasedown and has already proposed a detailed rule.
The phasedown will result in increased competition among HFC users. Washington is not only demonstrating climate leadership but also clear foresight. Its law makes sure that consumers and businesses transition to better alternatives in a predictable manner. These necessary steps will make Washington the most well-prepared state to comply with the forthcoming nationwide HFC phasedown.
Joe Fitzgibbon, Mjumbe wa Bunge la Marekani, aliweka kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu cha kiwango cha juu. """Kutumia mbadala wa HFC katika vifaa vya hali ya hewa na baridi ni muhimu na Washington sio peke yake katika utafutaji wake." Hivi majuzi jimbo la California lilitumia njia kama hizo. Wanaharakati wa mazingira na viwanda vilevile wameomba EPA kupitisha mipaka ya GWP kwa vifaa vya hali ya hewa na baridi, iliyoundwa baada ya California. Seneta Dianne Feinstein na Alex Padilla (wote D-Calif.) pia waliita EPA kutumia kanuni za California kama mfano. Washington imeibuka kama kiongozi katika kupambana na uzalishaji wa HFC na vitendo vyake vinaonyesha jinsi majimbo yanavyoongeza tamaa ya hatua ya shirikisho. Serikali za nchi zimechukua hatua muhimu katika kuendeleza hatua za HFC na sasa zinachora njia ya wazi na ya kutamani sio tu kutekeleza lakini uwezekano wa kuharakisha hatua ya HFC nchini kote. HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) ni warmers hali ya hewa nguvu sana <unk> mara moja iliyotolewa katika anga wao ni maelfu ya mara zaidi nguvu katika kukamata joto kuliko kaboni dioksidi. HFCs na ozone-kuharibika wao watangulizi (CFCs, HCFCs) walikuwa kawaida kutumika kama coolants katika hali ya hewa na baridi. Kiyoyozi hivi vinazunguka ndani ya mifumo iliyopo kama vile maduka makubwa na vifaa vya kiyoyozi vya kibiashara. Sehemu ndogo ya malipo yao hutolewa kila mwaka kwa sababu ya uvujaji, mazoea ya huduma au kushindwa kwa mfumo. Mazoea bora ya kupunguza kutolewa zisizohitajika kutoka vifaa kubwa baridi inaweza kwenda njia ndefu katika kuhakikisha kwamba kemikali hizo hatari si kufikia anga. Hatua hii inapaswa kufanywa kwa mujibu wa sheria ya Washington ya Usimamizi wa Refrigerant (HB 1050). HB1050 inatoa wito kwa sekta ya viwanda kutoa watumiaji wa jimbo la Washington na biashara na teknolojia mpya zaidi ya hali ya hewa na baridi inayopatikana. Kwa sababu ya hali ya hewa, vifaa vya baridi vinavyotumiwa katika vifaa vya hali ya hewa vinapaswa kuwa na GWP ya chini ya 750. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika sheria ya jimbo la Washington, ambayo inapaswa kutekelezwa kwa kiwango cha juu cha usalama, ""kwa aina nyingine za vifaa vya hali ya hewa na vifaa vya baridi, jimbo la Washington litahitaji kusasisha kanuni zake za ujenzi kwa viwango vya hivi karibuni vya usalama ili kuruhusu matumizi ya baridi mbadala." Sheria ya HFC iliyopitishwa mnamo 2019 tayari ilitoa amri ya mfululizo wa sasisho za kanuni za ujenzi. Hatua za mwaka huu zitahitaji marekebisho ya ziada kwa kanuni za ujenzi, na tunatazamia Washington kuonyesha uongozi huo ambao umeleta serikali mbele ya hatua ya HFC. Hatua za kupunguza utegemezi wa HFCs na kuongeza tamaa ya hatua ya shirikisho Hatua mpya zilizopitishwa hupunguza utegemezi wa serikali kwa gesi hizi zenye madhara za ongezeko la joto la hali ya hewa wakati muhimu. Mnamo Desemba 2020, Bunge la Marekani liliidhinisha Sheria ya Uvumbuzi na Utengenezaji wa Amerika (AIM), ambayo itapunguza usambazaji wa HFCs katika miaka 15 ijayo. Shirika la Ulinzi wa Mazingira la Marekani (EPA) limetoa taarifa kuhusu hatua ya kuondoa dawa hiyo na pia limetoa mapendekezo ya hatua ya kuondoa dawa hiyo. Kupunguzwa hatua kwa hatua kutasababisha ushindani ulioongezeka kati ya watumiaji wa HFC. Washington haionyeshi tu uongozi wa hali ya hewa lakini pia maono ya wazi. Sheria yake inahakikisha kwamba watumiaji na biashara hubadilisha kwa njia bora kwa njia inayoweza kutabirika. Hatua hizi muhimu zitafanya Washington kuwa jimbo lililojitayarisha vizuri zaidi kufuata hatua ya kutolewa kwa HFCs nchini kote.