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The EPA rule has stated that greenhouse gases "may endanger public health and welfare" and the new ruling enables the agency to enforce regulations which have been laid out under the US Clean Air Act. Even if the US Congress fails to act, this authority would be binding.
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[ Free Whitepaper ]
Collecting, organizing, and reporting of refrigerant gas data is challenging, the complexity of system auditing is confusing, and it remains difficult to remain in compliance with regulations. Learn how-to survive managing your refrigerants.
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| EPA Rules Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Harmful to Humans |
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Refrigerant Tracker from Verisae enables accurate tracking and reporting of refrigerant gas usage across a distributed enterprise. Remain in compliance with Refrigerant Tracker. Know accurate inventories, keep updated maintenance logs, and track usage of refrigerants across all of your locations and AC/HVAC systems.
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Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) will be categorized as a pollutant following the US Supreme Court's landmark notice approving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ruling. The gases harm the environment as they have proved to increase heat trapping chemicals in the atmosphere. These chemicals, commonly taking the form of refrigerant gases, originate from a variety of systems, including refrigeration and cooling units, fire protection systems, vehicles, power plants, and ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
The EPA rule has stated that greenhouse gases "may endanger public health and welfare" and the new ruling enables the agency to enforce regulations which have been laid out under the US Clean Air Act. Even if the US Congress fails to act, this authority would be binding. The gases build up and have been found to be responsible for adverse climate changes.
Passed on April 17, 2009, the EPA rule stresses strict regulations on carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases. These offenders have been shown to harm the public and the environment and the endangerment finding puts those facilities that use certain chemicals on notice that they must begin phasing out usage and turning to alternatives.
A 60-day public comment period has been opened up by the feds following the US Supreme Court's approval of the EPA rule. Once this comment period closes, the findings will go into the Federal Register, forcing the EPA to implement its rules and regulations if the US Congress has not enacted a law by that time.
It is now clear, following the recent EPA rule, the facilities that manage, use, or procure environmentally harmful chemicals must accelerate the efforts to find efficient and cost-effective ways to both track and report their fugitive emissions. The Obama administration and other global leaders have pledged to improve air quality and reduce global warming as part of The Kyoto Protocol and other international treaties currently being discussed.
The EPA rule is designed to reduce the more than 7,000,000,000 tons of greenhouse gases discharged in the United States per year. Certain industries are the worst offenders, including coal-fired power plants, facilities using refrigerant gas, industrial sources and motor vehicles.
Following the previously approved EPA rule and this most recent court ruling, facilities are turning to software applications to assist them in their refrigerant tracking. Regulations insist that they track the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, found in refrigerant gas.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) as the name implies lead to an increase in heat trapping atmosphere and an ultimate increase in global average tempatures. The intent and overall goal of GHG tracking relates to better collection and management of the emissions data now so informed decisions can be made about future carbon trading schemes. The tracking protocols also help government entities to more accurately inventory the amounts of emissions reaching the atmosphere. The new GHG legislation puts in motion the data collection, organization, and first stage reporting mechanisms to allow the US to accurately calculate and maintain a GHG emissions baseline across the entire economy. This will allow for better understanding today as well as to determine progress for future Cap and Trade programs. With this accurate information, it can be determined if the guidelines are effective in lowering the harmful effects of these substances to the ozone layer.
Greenhouse Gas tracking involves measuring direct and indirect emissions and keeping extensive records on its usage, maintenance, leak containment and disposal. Heating and cooling systems, as well as other energy consumption, are defined as direct emissions.
Better and more effective GHG management is an objective of the current US government. No longer will the US sit by and watch the world attack the issue of climate change. The US is now taking action to lower carbon emissions to the betterment of future generations. By taking no action, the earth's makeup would significantly change, with humans and animals adversely affected and marine and plant life severely damaged.
The current phase out of refrigerant gases used in commercial cooling, air conditioning and fire suppression systems, is in addition to the EPA rule. Also, the new US administration has plans to include a cap and trade system to encourage companies to invest in greener methods. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun its work to issue its final ruling and to propose environmental standards that must be complied with in order to avoid penalties and fines.
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