United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule establishing a comprehensive program to limit and reduce the production and consumption of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in this country.
A global elimination of HFCs is expected to prevent up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100. This final rule will reduce HFC production and consumption in the U.S. by 85% over the next 15 years, as provided by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act enacted in December 2020.
In addition to implementing this landmark phase-out program, the Biden-Harris Administration is organizing a government-wide approach to prevent the illegal trade, production, use, or sale of HFCs; support the transition to HFC alternatives through research and purchase; and encourage the recovery and recycling of HFCs from retired equipment, thereby reducing HFC production.
"Today, epa is taking an important step to advance President Biden's bold agenda to address the climate crisis," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Reducing these climate 'superpollutants' protects our environment, strengthens our economy, and demonstrates that the United States is back when it comes to leading the world in addressing climate change and curbing global warming for years to come."
AIM Act to Encourage American Innovation as Elimination Begins
The AIM Act is among the most important environmental laws enacted by the U.S. Congress in recent years, co-sponsored and passed with strong bipartisan support. Backed by a broad coalition of industry and environmental groups, the law not only eliminates HFCs, but also marks the beginning of the use of more climate-friendly and energy-efficient alternatives that will save consumers money while protecting the environment. U.S. companies are at the forefront of developing alternatives to HFCs and the technologies that use them, and the AIM Act provides these companies with additional opportunities to continue innovating.
Saving money, reducing emissions
The EPA estimates that the present value of cumulative net profits from this action is more than $272 billion from 2022 to 2050, and that the rule will generate cumulative compliance savings for the industry. In 2036 alone, the year the last reduction step is made, this rule is expected to avoid emissions equivalent to 171 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), roughly equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of one in seven passengers. vehicles registered in the United States.
The rule's total emissions reductions from 2022 to 2050 are projected to amount to the equivalent of 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2, nearly equal to three years of U.S. power sector emissions at 2019 levels.
