[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 85535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24929]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0643; FRL-12136-01-OAR]
Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Notice of Information
Availability for Regulations Implementing the American Innovation and
Manufacturing Act
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to alert stakeholders that the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published frequently
asked questions related to the regulations implementing the American
Innovation and Manufacturing Act. While the questions broadly cover
topics on hydrofluorocarbons, the Act itself, and the three new
programs established under the Act, the majority of these new and
updated frequently asked question are related to the Technology
Transitions program restrictions on the use of certain
hydrofluorocarbons. The Agency has published and continues to update
these frequently asked questions in the Frequent Questions on the
Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons web area and in the existing rulemaking
docket.
DATES: October 28, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Cain, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Stratospheric Protection Division, telephone number:
202-564-1566; or email address: [email protected]. You may also
visit EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction for
further information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 was
enacted on December 27, 2020, and codified at 42 U.S.C. 7675. The AIM
Act authorizes EPA to address climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs) by providing new authorities in three main areas: to phase down
the production and consumption of listed HFCs, manage these HFCs and
their substitutes, and facilitate the transition to next-generation
technologies through sector-based restrictions. Since the AIM Act was
enacted, EPA has finalized a number of rulemakings that implement the
AIM Act through three regulatory programs: the HFC Allowance Allocation
Program, the Technology Transitions Program, and the Emissions
Reduction and Reclamation Program. EPA has provided information to
stakeholders about these three programs through our frequently asked
questions web page.
The majority of the questions and responses relate to the
Technology Transitions final rule published on October 24, 2023 (88 FR
73098). This rule facilitates sector-based transitions to next-
generation technologies, as specified in the AIM Act. The rule limits
the use of HFCs in specific technology sectors and subsectors, such as
foams, aerosols, and refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps.
In most subsectors, EPA set a maximum global warming potential (GWP)
limit on HFCs or HFC blends that can be used in new products and
equipment. In a few subsectors, EPA listed the specific HFCs or HFC
blends that are restricted. Compliance dates and GWP limits vary based
on sector and subsector. The rule requires that new products and
components using HFCs be labeled and that companies that manufacture or
import such products or components using HFCs report information to
EPA.
Since the publication of the various AIM Act rulemakings, EPA has
posted information for stakeholders in question-and-answer form to help
stakeholders understand key aspects of these the rules across
regulatory programs. To maintain transparency and ensure consistency,
EPA has been providing answers to common stakeholder inquiries in the
form of frequently asked questions.
II. What information is available and where is it located?
EPA has published these frequently asked questions in the Frequent
Questions on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons web page, available
at: https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/frequent-questions-phasedown-hydrofluorocarbons. EPA has also entered a document with the
same title and content as the web page noted above in the rulemaking
docket titled ``Restrictions on Certain Uses of Hydrofluorocarbons
under Subsection (i) of the American Innovation and Manufacturing
Act.'' This docket can be accessed on Regulations.gov using Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0643. EPA intends to update the list of questions
and answers on the website and in the docket periodically and may not
issue a notice in the Federal Register each time that it does so.
Cynthia A. Newberg,
Director, Stratospheric Protection Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-24929 Filed 10-25-24; 8:45 am]
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