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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is pleased to announce the release of a Request for Information (RFI) to aid in the development of an Assessment Report that will specify how to transition California's economy, by sector, away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and to ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) and/or no-GWP alternatives no later than 2035 through maximizing recovery and reclamation of high-GWP HFCs and increasing the adoption of ultra-low-GWP and no-GWP alternatives, as directed by Senate Bill (SB) 1206 (2022).
Through this RFI, CARB invites all interested parties to comment on the development of this Assessment Report.
The RFI and all associated information and documents can be found on CARB's SB 1206 webpage below:
Please submit comments by October 30, 2023, through CARB's public docket linked below:
CARB staff will be available to answer questions regarding the RFI and how to submit comments. Written questions of clarification about this RFI must be emailed to HFCReduction@arb.ca.gov.
Background
California has been a leader in addressing HFC emissions through legislative and regulatory action. Recognizing the importance of reducing HFC emissions, the Legislature enacted SB 1383 in 2016 to specifically mandate a 40 percent reduction in HFC emissions below 2013 levels by 2030. In addition to the Assessment Report, SB 1206 prohibits the sale of newly produced high-GWP HFCs; starting 2025, 2030 and 2033, newly produced HFCs with a GWP greater than 2200, 1500 and 750 respectively are prohibited. SB 1206 requires the use of reclaimed HFCs to promote the recovery of HFCs, thereby preventing the release or leakage of high-GWP HFCs, and complementing the federal HFC phasedown implemented through the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. CARB has adopted various regulations to reduce HFC emissions such as the Refrigerant Management Program and GWP prohibitions on refrigeration, air-conditioning equipment, and other end-use sectors among other measures.
Despite current rules, California’s long-term climate mandates require CARB to take further actions to reduce HFC emissions and fight climate change. This RFI will help inform CARB staff in their completion of an assessment report specifying how to transition California’s economy, by sector, away from HFCs and to ultra-low-GWP or no-GWP alternatives no later than 2035.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the RFI, please contact the HFC Reduction Team at HFCReduction@arb.ca.gov.
Special Accommodations
If you require special accommodation or need this document in an alternate format (i.e., Braille, large print) or another language, please contact Cheryl Winfield by email or phone at 279-208-7329.
Please sign up for the HFC listserv and select the topic “HFC-Reduction.”
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