One Month To Go: Comment On EPA Refrigeration Proposal

NAFEM members have until Oct. 6 to leave a comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal phasing out all refrigerants currently used in commercial refrigeration equipment by Jan. 1, 2016.

Under the requirements of the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program, the proposal suggests that hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants be phased out in compliance with the Clean Air Act. If approved, that leaves manufacturers to rely instead on replacements such as ammonia, butane, CO2 and propane. Read the full story in the Aug. 20 Fortnightly here.

NAFEM asserts that the proposed compliance dates are unrealistic, if not impossible, for manufacturers to meet, and the impact on the entire foodservice equipment industry would be significant if the SNAP rule is finalized as proposed. Additional information will be provided on EPA’s Stratospheric Ozone website: epa.gov/ozone/snap.

The association is urging its members and other industry stakeholders to comment on the proposal. NAFEM will submit industry comments to the EPA by the close of the comment period on or before Oct. 6. Members who want to participate directly in this process should contact Charlie Souhrada, CFSP, director-member services at csouhrada@nafem.org or 312/821-0212.

The association is urging its members to review the proposed SNAP rule and consider the potential impact to their businesses. Companies also are invited to contribute to NAFEM’s comments on behalf of the industry by sharing analyses, especially hard engineering data in particular, with csouhrada@nafem.org by Sept. 18.