MARCH 2025 ISSUE

What’s Going On with the EPA’s Technology Transitions Regulation?

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recently announced the “Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History” including “reconsideration” of the EPA’s Technology Transition Regulation (TTR). Opinions vary on what Zeldin means by “reconsideration,” but one thing is certain: the EPA can only change the TTR, which has been on the books since 2023, through a new regulation. How long does it take the EPA to draft a new regulation, issue it for public comment, address those comments, draft a final regulation, put that final regulation through inter-agency review, get the sign-off by the Office of Management and Budget, get it signed by the Administrator, and then publish the Rule in the Federal Register? How long is a piece of string? Chances are high that proposed changes will be met with manufacturer pushback, given that manufacturers already invested in R&D and overhauling their production processes.

Reporting Season Isn’t Over Yet!

Reporting season used to be two (frantic) months at the beginning of every year… Now it stretches until June 1st! Mark your calendars for New Jersey on April 1st and New York on June 1st. And don’t forget the SCAQMD! Often forgotten, SCAQMD Rule 1415 mandates that owners register new HVAC appliances with more than 50 pounds of a high-GWP refrigerant before the start of operation. Reports on each appliance are due every two years. Keep up to date on these deadlines and everything you need to know with the RMS Fact Sheets.

Automating Compliance with Software for Refrigerant Regulations

If you missed the March 25th ACHR News webinar called, “Managing Refrigerant in 2025: Automating Compliance with Software for Refrigerant Regulations,” which featured Basant Singhatwadia of Facilio and our own Keilly Witman, check out the recording for free on the News website.

Go Get that FRIP Money!

The second application window for CARB’s F-gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP) is open! With CARB handing out over $65 million for climate-friendly equipment replacements, now is your chance to get a piece of the action. The updated FRIP funding guidelines increase the maximum incentive awards and per-company maximums. Check out the full FRIP web portal for all the information you need to apply!

What’s a PFAS and Why Should I Care?

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are “forever” chemicals that, according to the government, contaminate our water, soil, and air. Depending who you ask, fluorinated chemical refrigerants, including the new low-GWP HFO refrigerants, ARE, or ARE NOT, PFAS. AHRI and many of its members think refrigerants should not be labeled as PFAS. The EU thinks refrigerants are PFAS, and their proposed PFAS regulations would affect nearly all HFC and HFO refrigerants. Some US states agree with the EU. Maine enacted regulations that ban intentionally added PFAS in refrigerants by 2040. While California’s current PFAS regulations don’t include refrigerants, the newly introduced CA Senate Bill 682 (SB 682) would ban the sale and distribution of most fluorinated refrigerants in 2033. Unfortunately, supermarket operators don’t have time to wait until the world figures this out, since the TTR is forcing them to choose the refrigerants they want to hang their hat on for the future, NOW.

Webinar on NY State Refrigerant Regulations

The recording of an Axiom Cloud webinar on NY state’s Refrigerant Management Program regulation is now available. The webinar was hosted by Amrit Robbins of Axiom Cloud, and it featured guests Keilly Witman of RMS and Tom Mathews of baselineES. NY’s first registration and reporting deadline is about 45 working days away, so it’s time to dig in! See the RMS fact sheets on all four parts of New York State’s regulation in the RMS resource page of our website, under State Regulations, New York.

Check Out the NASRC’s 2024 Annual Report

The NASRC published their Annual Report for 2024! Read it here and check out all the progress they made in 2024, from millions in funding for natural refrigerant equipment replacements, to their workforce development summits, to the new R-Trade program. Congrats to the NASRC on another successful year!

Turning Water into Wine Refrigerant

We’ve all heard the story of water being turned into wine… but turning water into refrigerant is a new one! The EU is cracking down on illegal refrigerant smuggling, but it’s not easy with much of the illegal sale happening over the internet. A recent internet scam involved a Polish resident’s online purchase of $6,200 of what he thought was R-134a. When the refrigerant arrived, the cylinders contained water. A good warning to heed as the US heads towards our own phasedowns: if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Need Some Help?

If you need help with these or any other topics related to refrigerant management, feel free to reach out to me (Keilly Witman). We’re a friendly bunch and happy to help!