As part of an ongoing effort to advance the mission of the IIAR and increase engagement with government agencies, key IIAR staff members attended the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) stakeholder meeting on September 11th, 2015.  The EPA's SNAP program evaluates and regulates substitutes for the ozone-depleting chemicals that are being phased out under the stratospheric ozone protection provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The intended effect of the SNAP program is to promote a smooth transition to safer alternatives.

Recent actions by the EPA were discussed and include; the issuance of two acceptability notices adding alternatives, published on October 21st, 2014 and July 16th, 2015; the issuance of a new rule adding five low-GWP flammable refrigerants with use conditions, published on April 10th, 2015; and the status change rule prohibiting certain HFCs in certain end-uses, published on July 10th, 2015 with the intent to reduce HFC emmissions by 54-64 Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent in 2025. A chronological listing of SNAP Regulations can be found on the EPA website - Ozone Layer Protection - Alternatives/SNAP

At the SNAP meeting, EPA officials commented that they believe ammonia to be a very beneficial refrigerant when risks are mitigated.  They expressed positive comments about new retail facilities that use ammonia and CO2 Cascade Systems.

The EPA through the SNAP program continues to identify substitutes for refrigerants that are being phased out under the stratospheric ozone protection provisions of the CAA. Substitutes are reviewed on the basis of ozone depletion potential, global warming potential, toxicity, flammability, and exposure potential as described in the March 18th, 1994, final SNAP rule (59 FR 13044).

IIAR continues to monitor the SNAP program as the EPA identifies alternatives to refrigerants that are currently being considered for draw down due to their ozone-depleting and high global warming potential.  IIAR also continues to make government agencies aware of the benefits of ammonia and other natural refrigerants for their viability and potential for future use.

More information on the EPA's SNAP program with regard to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
EPA Enforcement Alert
The EPA, as part of an enforcement alert campaign, has recently sent postcard mailers to facilities operating with ammonia refrigeration systems above and below the 10,000 lb limit. This mailer asks that all ammonia refrigeration systems be safely operated and that systems with more than 10,000 lbs of ammonia have risk management plans in place. Click here for more information: EPA Enforcement Alert