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What is The Climate Registry?
The Climate Registry makes it politically and geographically easier for countries to come together to achieve positive effects on climate change. By using a common framework or set of reporting protocols, current and future carbon emissions management programs, perhaps adopted at a national level through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), can work together and be supported at a reduced cost across the economy.
The Montreal Protocol Limits Ozone Depleting Substances
A key component of The Montreal Protocol is its continuous monitoring of facilities containing refrigerant gases to make certain that proper control measures are in place for dealing with substances that are harmful to the environment, i.e. ozone depleting substances (ODS). However, the increasing focus remains on companies and industries that fail to comply with this agreement. The result can be thousands of dollars in fines.
Refrigerant Compliance Includes Calculating Carbon Emissions
Calculating carbon emissions is a complex process. The different types of emissions need to be identified and collected companywide. From this information, the amount of each type of gas released into the environment needs to be calculated. In addition, tracking methods need to show the daily use of refrigerant gas. The end result will show the global warming potential for each facility with a refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) system or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Refrigerant Leak Poses Business and Environmental Challenges
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict standards for regulating and monitoring a refrigerant leak. The Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocols were both created to establish similar environmental standards internationally. These regulations include protocols for repairing refrigerant leaks or disposing of systems within a certain timeframe.
California Air Resources Board Puts the Freeze on Air Pollution
The California Air Resources Board was formed to focus on air quality and areas for improvement. A good refrigerant gas management program is an essential element. CARB has been proactive, working with the people of the state, its' corporations and government bodies with the aim of protecting public health, welfare and the delicate ecology.
Understanding The CARB Refrigerant Gas Management Program
The following explains the refrigerant gas management program to be included in the AB 32 legislation in California. We will also provide details related AC/HVAC system refrigerant gas leak detection, monitoring, tracking, and reporting. These details related to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation to be passed in early 2009 as well as the anticipated U.S. EPA adoption of similar regulations.
Preparing for the Phase Out of R-22 (HCFC) Refrigerant Gas
According to the 2008 study, the EPA is limiting the amount to HCFC R-22 to 20% LESS than industry demand. This means that R-22 will likely increase in cost substantially and available stocks will be bought up by the bigger organizations. It also means that reclaimed, recycled, and used R-22 could become more valuable than virgin in that it could be used “universally” in pre and post 2010 equipment.
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