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There has been much recent discussion regarding the market for HCFC-22 in 2012, as the EPA works to finalize its allocation and production rights for 2012-2014. Here are some basic facts HARDI wanted to communicate to our membership.
1.) There is an ongoing EPA rulemaking concerning the allocation of refrigerants, including R-22 for 2012-2014. The EPA has suggested a reduction of allocation rights of R-22 between 11% and 47% in each year (2012-2014), in addition to the annual 10% reduction each of those years set by the 2009 Allocation Rule. EPA’s proposed reduction was not unexpected, and is supported by some industry stakeholders.
2.) Since the current rule is not final, it is illegal for a company with 2011 allocation rights to produce or imports HCFCs into the United States until receipt of a “non-enforcement” letter from EPA which was expected by many companies to arrive the first week of January; however this letter was delayed until Friday, January 20. Thereby, 15 work days had passed where no refrigerant production or importation occurred.
3.) In this “non-enforcement” letter, EPA stated that production and importation should be limited to approximately 17% of a company's 2011 baseline until the rulemaking is complete. If, when the rulemaking is completed, the final reduction is less than 17% of the 2011 baseline, a company will be allowed to increase production and importation to their allocated limits. HARDI does not expect this rulemaking to be completed by the beginning of summer.
4.) From 2005-2010 (2011 data is not yet available), only 77% of Consumption Allowances for HCFC-22 were used. These figures along with comment from stakeholders to the EPA, regarding the oversupply of R-22 in the marketplace and concerns of stockpiling, have led EPA to consider a more aggressive phasedown.
5.) In 2011, EPA sought comment from the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, of which HARDI and all major refrigerant producers are members, regarding a suggestion for a more aggressive reduction in R-22. The Alliance formally submitted a suggestion for a 20% reduction in Consumption Allowances.
HARDI’s Refrigerants & Refrigeration Council is currently accepting member comments on what the annual reduction should be in this rule. Please submit your thoughts, questions, and concerns to me by January 31.
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by Elwyn Roberts
Jan 13 2012
A MAN who sent shockwaves through the global airline industry by supplying substandard gas to onboard fire extinguishers has been jailed for two and a half years.
More than 15,000 fire extinguishers were removed from planes worldwide because of Eric Andrew Lyon, 47.
His actions sparked a huge investigation and led to the changing of guidelines for the production of fire extinguishers and fire suppressant systems in aircraft in Britain, Europe and in America.
And at the time his actions were discovered it was believed he had put the lives of thousands of aircraft passengers at risk.
Mold Crown Court heard the halon gas Lyon supplied for fire extinguishers was not up to a required standard and that he had altered certificates.
The gas had to be 99% pure but Lyon changed analyses certificates when his samples failed to meet that high standard. Some were later found to be as low as 60%.
The gas, recycled by Lyon at his company Lyontech Engineering Ltd at Flints Manor Industrial Estate, was used by manufacturers at home and abroad in 2007, 2008 and the start of 2009.
The court, sitting in Chester, heard the gas was no longer manufactured because of its harmful effects to the ozone layer.
It was not used in everyday fire extinguishers but because of the importance of being able to prevent catastrophes in the air it was used in airplanes under strict guidelines.
When the fraud was discovered it sent shockwaves throughout the aircraft industry and aviation safety authorities worldwide.
Prosecutor Wyn Lloyd Jones told the court that while Lyon had admitted a s390,000 fraud upon his customers, the seriousness of the case outweighed the high value.
There was a substantial breach of trust in this case. Because the gas was being supplied to the airline industry there was at the very least a real risk that public safety could have been compromised, he said.
The motive was greed and profit.
Lyon, of Oakmount House, Northop Country Park, near Mold, admitted 25 fraud offences and was jailed for 2.5 years.
Judge Niclas Parry told him: By your activity, you caused the potential withdrawal of aircraft from service both in this country, in Europe and in the USA.
You caused emergency directives regarding the recall of safety equipment to be issued worldwide.
It has subsequently transpired that the breaching of the regulations may not have had such an impact upon public safety as had initially been feared.
That knowledge is important for the sake of future passenger confidence.
But the reality is that at the time you were offending you could not have been certain of that and you continued to ignore the risk regardless.
The judge said Lyon had s operation was close to being to a monopoly because of his expertise and said he abused that position in a systematic, sophisticated fraud achieved with total disregard for the potential risk to public safety.
It beggars belief that a man of your experience in such a specialised activity acted in such a cavalier fashion, showing utter disregard for the potential consequences, the judge said.
Lyon was not charged with any airline safety offences following an investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority.
It was passed to North Wales Police who carried out a fraud investigation.
But the Aviation Regulation Enforcement Department of the CAA had carried out a full investigation into the risk to flight safety caused by fire.
Halon was a highly effective fire suppressant widely used in the aircraft industry and it was estimated that about 15,000 fire extinguishers had to be replaced because the gas was outside specification.
Following tests in America it had been found that gas with a 90% purity was just as effective as that with 99%.
But Mr Lloyd Jones said the defendant did not know that at the time and some of the purities in the gas he supplied were far less than that.
The probe by the CAA, the European Aircraft Safety Agency and the Federal Agency in America meant thousands of extinguishers were recalled and replaced by compliant products.
Paul Abraham, defending, said his client denied his actions were down to greed.
He was not supplying a product that was rubbish to make money, he said.
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By Robin Bennett, Hazardous Material Leader, Product Development. Environmental Performance Strategy
The aerospace industry has been working to find effective replacements for halon
in airplane fire-extinguishing and suppression systems since production of the chemical
was banned in 1994. industry has conducted extensive research on halon alternatives,
but fully replacing the chemical will require multiple regulatory approvals and the
cooperation of all stakeholders. Click Here to read more
Courtesy of www.boeing.com
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OVER 100 golfers from around the world will be taking part in the Pan Gulf Golf Day at Awali Golf Club on October 14.
The event, which is being held in cooperation with Pan Gulf Industrial Systems, will consist of two competitions.
The first, teeing off in the early morning, will be a strokeplay tournament comprising more than 100 entrants. It will also act as a KPAO (Kingsbury, Pinhey, Ayto, O'Sullivan) qualifier, the final of which will be held at Awali Golf Club in April next year.
The other is an invitational Stableford competition. Scheduled to tee off at around midway, around 20 invited golfers from the US, Australia, Bahrain and the rest of the GCC will be in the fray.
Both tournaments will be played over 18 holes along Awali Golf Club's sand course.
Amateurs
The players taking part are all amateurs. They will be vying for attractive cash prizes in each competition, with additional awards for the day's various side competitions also to be given out, such as a Harley Davidson motorbike for the first player to sink a hole-in-one.
"The main aim of our Pan Gulf Golf Day is for everyone to have a good time out on the golf course and to make some money for charity," event organiser Martin Allison told the GDN yesterday.
Part of the event's proceeds will be donated to the Think Pink charity.
Following the day's play, there will be live music featuring the Gruesome Twosome band and a dinner.
The Pan Gulf Golf Day's main sponsors are Remtec and Chemetron; while other sponsors are Notifier, Autronica, Stahl, Nalco, DNH Speakers and ATP.
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The DoloMatrix Group of Companies
The DoloMatrix Group of companies is multi-faceted waste management group, providing innovative and cost effective environmental and waste management solutions to clients in Australia and around the World.
The DoloMatrix Group is comprised of five businesses, working in unison to provide industry with a full range of environmental services. DoloMatrix International Limited is the parent company of the group and owner of Chemsal, SRL Plasma Pty Ltd, BCD Technologies Pty Ltd and Entech Industries Pty Ltd.
Click here to read more about this group in their Clean Sweep Magazine
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"The Coalition for Responsible Fire Protection began in 2010 as a healthy discussion about how to balance environmental sensitivity with the need to preserve life and property. many large firms now expect or even demand more environmentally responsible products and systems, which will reflect and support their own environmental commitments. While small steps have been taken to "green" the fire protection industry, to date the Coalitiion believes it has been a mostly cosmetic exercise."
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| EPA Aggressively Auditing Refrigerant Record Keeping |
July 11, 2011
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) appears to be aggressively auditing the refrigerant record keeping of HVACR contractors in the South.
The NEWS has been receiving reports of the effort in Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi, although it is unclear as to how many contractors are being audited.
One distributor from that region did say that he has received “numerous calls” in recent weeks from contractors who have been visited by the EPA. Another distributor from that region said contractor customers have told him they are being audited by the EPA and need to produce records of their refrigerant recovery/reclaim activities.
There were also indications that some distributors have also been visited and counter sales people were asked about the supply house reclaim program.
When contacted by The NEWS, the EPA would only say that it “cannot discuss ongoing cases, but continues to perform inspections, respond to tips, and take enforcement action as resources allow.”
The recent record keeping audits by the EPA are the most significant actions by the federal agency within the HVACR industry since 2004 when the EPA moved against the Dominick’s supermarket chain for illegal venting of HCFC-22. That resulted in an $85,000 fine and the shuttering of three stores and major overhaul of three others.
But the most recent actions are focused on contractors rather than an end user and deal with record keeping rather than venting.
It is unclear if the EPA will eventually issue a formal statement regarding the ongoing audits as it did with the Dominick’s case. The fine and resolution in the supermarket sector led to the EPA and the Food Marketing Institute proactively launching the GreenChill initiative, which encourages environmental and efficiency improvements within stores and accords recognition for those efforts.
Like the issue of venting, the record keeping falls under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
According to a portion of record keeping requirements:
“Technicians servicing appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of refrigerant must provide the owner with an invoice that indicates the amount of refrigerant added to the appliance. Technicians must also keep a copy of their proof of certification at their place of business.
“Owners or operators of appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of refrigerant must keep servicing records documenting the date and type of service, as well as the quantity of refrigerant added.”
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Thank you to all who stopped by our Booth during the 2011 AHR Expo. This year’s show was a huge success and we look forward to working with you all in 2011.
Thank you for your interest and continued business
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Reportedly an explosion in a China plant that produces a necessary raw material for the production of clean agents could result in reductions in production levels for the agents. DuPont has contacted customers about this situation and system manufacturers and their installers have been in contact as well. The length of the disruption in raw material supply is not known and the extent and length of possible agent shortages remain uncertain. For additional information members should contact their system manufacturers or agent supplier.
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Spurred by the Montreal Protocol, the 1987 international treaty focused on curbing greenhouse gas emissions, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a schedule to phase out substances believed to contribute to the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer.
A major milestone in that process occurred at the start of 1996 when the manufacture of products containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in developed countries was no longer allowed. This group of products included refrigerants used in comfort cooling and refrigeration equipment in buildings. The transition in 1996 was relatively smooth, largely due to the fact that a gradual phase out schedule enabled manufacturers, service providers, and end users to prepare for the change. (To date, there are limited quantities of reclaimed CFC refrigerants remaining in the market.)
Today, the U.S. is preparing for the phase out of another substance deemed harmful to the ozone—hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants. As of January 1, 2010, this type of refrigerant will no longer be allowed to be manufactured in, or imported to, the United States for use in new equipment. As with the CFC phase out, this will affect the use of refrigerants for comfort cooling and refrigeration systems. Among these substances is HCFC-22 (also known as R-22), a commonly used refrigerant.
As a result of the phase outs, new equipment has been designed for the next generation of refrigerants—hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). According to the EPA, this class of refrigerants does not contain chlorine or bromine, which means it does not deplete the ozone layer. Equipment that uses HFC refrigerants will be the primary choice for those making HVAC purchases after 2010.
However, this does not mean the existing equipment in facilities across the country will be rendered obsolete on January 1, 2010. The HCFC refrigerants themselves will still be permitted for servicing purposes, and the supply already in the market has the potential to meet those needs. However, the amount available depends heavily on the effectiveness of recovery and reclamation practices carried out by end users and their vendors. While the reuse of these substances is not a new concept, the phase out has made end of life procedures even more important.
And even in a climate of effective recovery and reclamation, there may be a challenge in having enough HCFC supply to meet the needs of existing equipment. This is because between 2010 and 2020 the amount of HCFCs being manufactured will decrease gradually, according to limits decreed by the EPA.
To address the inevitable reduction in HCFC availability, manufacturers have been charting a course for a sustainable plan. As a result, a number of companies now offer refrigerants that can be used as alternatives to HCFC in existing equipment.
Karim Amrane, director of regulatory and public policy at the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute in Arlington, VA, expects a smooth transition. “The industry will be ready for the phase out insofar as equipment will be available with alternative refrigerants starting on January 1, 2010,” Amrane says. “In fact, there is some equipment already available today.”
The use of alternative HFC refrigerants in equipment designed for HCFCs can involve varying levels of cost and effort. For instance, some alternatives require modifications to existing equipment. Others may only involve a change in maintenance practices. For example, not all HFCs are compatible with cooling equipment that uses mineral oil in its operation; however, those HFCs that are compatible enable operators to continue using the equipment without major modifications. In addition to speaking with vendors, facility managers can learn more by accessing the list of EPA-approved refrigerants from the agency.
Another milestone in the HCFC phase out schedule will occur at the start of 2020, when most HCFCs will no longer be permitted to be manufactured at all. The only supplies available will be what already exists in the marketplace. The practices that end users and suppliers adopt in the meantime will affect the levels of existing supplies.
Through simulated modeling on the refrigerant market during the 10-year period between 2010 and 2020, the EPA predicts there may be a shortage of HCFC refrigerants around 2015. Amrane says, “With the production caps on HCFCs in place, the EPA has asserted that without an extensive reclamation process in place, there may be a shortage at some point. So 2015 might be tight. We are watching this so the industry can respond accordingly.”
Kevin O’Shea, marketing manager, North America at DuPont Refrigerants in Wilmington, DE, notes that a significant decrease in the HCFC consumption (production plus imports less exports) cap in 2015 may foster a potential shortage. “At that time, the cap will drop from 35% to only 10% of the original HCFC cap. That indicates the potential for a pinch point in the supply, since DuPont estimates current aftermarket demand at approximately 20% of the original cap. Unless there is strong movement in refrigerant management planning, such as moving to alternatives and tightening service practices, there could be a tight supply.”
Facility managers who are planning to purchase cooling and refrigeration equipment before 2010 can consider the long-term investment within the framework of the phase out schedule.
“There is already equipment available on the market specifically for use with HFCs,” says Amrane. “For the facility manager who is thinking of replacing equipment, as we get closer to 2010, it is a good time to look at these options.”
Information for this article was provided through interviews with Armane and O’Shea. Alternative refrigerants approved by the EPA can be found at www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/index.html.
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RemTec has, in stock and available for immediate shipment HFC-227ea that is UL listed component I/A/W NFPA 2001. Contact the Green Team today for the best price.
RemTec International is also purchasing Halon 1301, Halon 1211, HFC-227ea, HFC-125, HFC-236fa and Novec 1230. We take care of all the freight costs and paperwork. Hassle free transaction during the start of the holiday season that puts money back in your pocket.
Contact the RemTec’s Green Team, Terri or Sandy today!
1-800-372-1301
Terri.aufrance@remtec.net
sandy.hoffman@remtec.net
www.remtec.net
Check out our blogs:
http://we-buy-and-sell-halon.blogspot.com/
http://r-22-refrigerants.blogspot.com/
http://ods-destruction-carbon-credits.blogspot.com/
Since it’s December, now is a good time to get organized for the new year.
Do you have refrigerants that you'd like to get rid of?
RemTec buys and pays the freight for R-11, R-12, R-22, R-114, R-115 and R-125.*
We pay for mixed purity down to 98%. If your refrigerant fails to meet 98%, we dispose of it for you at no charge. You benefit either way.
HAZMAT shipping documents and a complete paper trail are provided for you.
Do you have cylinders that are out of test date? RemTec is a DOT approved
hydrostatic testing facility. So we can requalify your tanks, giving you five more
years of use.**
Contact Gary Stofan for more information.
gary.stofan@remtec.net
RemTec International
1100 Haskins Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402 USA
1-888-873-6832
www.remtec.net
*Based on a minimum net weight requirement of refrigerant.
**Available at an additional cost.
RemTec is an EPA certified reclaimer of refrigerants.
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Richard M. Marcus is President of the world's largest and most comprehensive privately owned halocarbon-recycling corporation. Richard has managed several multi-lateral Halon banking projects globally including the People's Republic of China, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine. Richard works extensively with the Montreal Protocol Technical Committees as an expert on reclamation and destruction of halocarbons.
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RemTec International Announces the Expansion of their Halon and Refrigerant Reclamation Services to the Middle East Region
BOWLING GREEN, OH, USA – (Business Wire) - In conjunction with Pan Gulf Industrial Systems, RemTec International has announced it will commence Halon reclamation and banking operations in the Middle East as of November 2010. This halocarbon reclamation facility will be the first of its kind in the region. Located on the second Dammam industrial city, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it will also provide services throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.
The newly constructed 30,000 square foot facility is part of a three-phase program to contain and manage Class I and II Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and other halocarbons. The initial phase will provide Halon reclamation and banking capabilities on a regional basis to petrochemical companies and other end users. The second phase will expand these services to include reclamation and banking of all ODS including Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) refrigerants, and in addition Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that are high in Global Warming Potential (GWP). The third phase will install advanced systems that safely destroy all of these substances and other environmentally-hazardous wastes using patented Plasma Arc Destruction Technology.
Richard Marcus, President and CEO stated, “We are proud to team with Pan Gulf Industrial Systems to provide these services to the Middle East and the surrounding regions. This halocarbon reclamation facility will be state of the art with the latest, most advanced equipment for the reclamation and management of Halons and refrigerants that are either ozone depleters or high in global warming potential. It is designed to be operated in a fail safe environment using highly automated systems that are continuously monitored both on site and at our headquarters in Bowling Green, Ohio.”
The facility will be equipped with a full laboratory that will be capable of testing to a number of standards including ASTM-D5632-08, ISO 7201-2:1991 or Military Specification B-8741 (USAF). Refrigerant testing to the AHRI Standard 700-2006 will also be developed as later project phases are added. Ultimately, the laboratory will provide convenient and accurate testing of Halons and refrigerants throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. Richard Marcus further stated, “This facility, with its investment in advanced technologies and its central location, is ideally suited to provide testing and reclamation services for commercial and military clients throughout the Middle East region and beyond.”
Finally, as ODS are phased out, it will be important that these materials are handled properly, particularly at the end of their useful lives. This is a concern to many countries in the region as well as to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank. For this reason, this project was selected to be part of a case study by the World Bank, to examine methods to manage and destroy ODS as they are phased out. Using Plascon Plasma Arc Destruction Technology, ODS will be destroyed with an extremely high Destruction Removal Efficiency (DRE) of 99.9999%. Mr. Marcus concluded his remarks by stating, “A high DRE is achieved with de minimis emissions to the atmosphere and a safe, salt water solution as the only effluent. In conjunction with our alliance partner, DoloMatrix in Australia, RemTec is able to provide these environmental solutions in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner, in areas of the world that normally lack this advanced technology. In addition, Plascon also has the potential to destroy chlorophenols, chlorinated phenoxywaste, concentrated PCB, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and chlorinated solvents, which are present in the Middle East and surrounding regions.”
ABOUT REMTEC INTERNATIONAL
Established in 1986, RemTec International is a world leader in the recovery, reclamation and destruction of Halons and Refrigerants. RemTec’s Halocarbon Management Program uses patented technologies which avoid emissions that either destroy the ozone layer or add to global warming potential. RemTec's unique approach facilitates safe disposal of unwanted Halons, CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs on a worldwide basis. These hazardous substances are recovered, reclaimed and in some cases destroyed, in accordance with all domestic and international regulatory standards. For more information, please visit www.remtec.net or e-mail info@remtec.net
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May 12, 2010
RemTec International Extends a Five-Year Agreement with DoloMatrix as Exclusive Representative for Plasma Arc ODS Destruction Technology in North America - Producing High Quality Offset Credits for the Carbon Compliance Market
BOWLING GREEN, OH, USA – (Business Wire) – RemTec International, the largest privately-owned reclaimer of halons and refrigerants, announced today the extension of its five year agreement with Dolomatrix International, Ltd., to be the exclusive representative for SRL Plasma’s Plascon® equipment in North America, designed to destroy Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). The DoloMatrix destruction technology along with RemTec’s patented recovery and reclaiming equipment, produces carbon offset credits that exceed the requirements of a newly released Climate Action Reserve (CAR) Ozone Depleting Substances Project Protocol. This protocol delivers permanent greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for the carbon compliance market.
“The combination of our technologies and services provides the ultimate in transparency, tracking and accountability. In addition, Plasma Arc Destruction is environmentally superior to high temperature incineration.”
Richard Marcus, President and CEO stated, “Our alliance with DoloMatrix provides the compliance-offset market a high quality carbon offset for several reasons. First, the Destruction Efficiency (DRE) is extremely high - exceeding 99.9999% and it is environmentally superior compared to high temperature incineration that burns an assortment of hazardous waste products, in order to reduce their halocarbon load as a percentage of total harmful emissions. In contrast, Plasma Arc Technology is environmentally friendly because emissions to the atmosphere are de minimus, the rate of dioxin and furan emissions is lower by orders of magnitude, the only effluent is harmless salt water, and it has a lower carbon footprint.
“We can provide superior carbon offset credits because the combined technologies of RemTec and DoloMatrix use Technology & Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) testing methodology, specifically designed to measure the destruction of ODS. In addition, our detailed tracking and documentation system follows individual shipments from the source to final destruction. When combined with our online real-time computer monitoring, our system provides complete transparency to carbon offset providers, verifiers and outside regulatory agencies on a 24 hour basis.
“This represents the first phase in our efforts to establish regional facilities that offer cradle to grave management of halons and refrigerant gases that are high ozone depleters, or that are high in global warming potential. In addition to our existing processing plant in Bowling Green, Ohio future operations are also planned in the Middle East and Asia.”
Mr. Marcus concluded by saying, "Through the combination of our proprietary technologies, we are able to offer an enhanced ODS Destruction Protocol. This is very timely, especially considering certain recent Amendments to Senate Bill 1733, Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, that were introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT). This Bill specifically recognizes offset credits for ODS destruction for both domestic and international projects.”
ABOUT REMTEC INTERNATIONAL
Established in 1986, RemTec International is a world leader in the recovery, reclamation and destruction of Halons and Refrigerants. RemTec’s Halocarbon Management Program uses patented technologies that avoid emissions that either destroy the ozone layer, or add to global warming potential. RemTec's unique approach facilitates safe disposal of unwanted Halons, CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs on a worldwide basis. These hazardous substances are recovered, reclaimed, and in some cases destroyed in accordance with all domestic and international regulatory standards. For more information, please visit www.remtec.net.
RemTec International
1100 Haskins Road
Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402
USA
419-867-8990
419-867-3279 (Facsimile)
800-372-1301 (Toll Free / North America)
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Tim Kearney will be attending this show on Carbon Offsets April 14th - April 16th
Terri and Jaclyn had a great time at NAFED in Atlantic City. See you at the next NAFED show in St. Louis next month!
Ron Marcus, RemTec's Business Development Manager, will be making a presentation on April 28th during the morning session for the joint meeting. Below is a summary of what he will be discussing.
Cost-efficient management, reclaim, & destruction of ODS
RemTec International is proud to present information concerning the cost-efficient management, reclamation and destruction of ODS at the UNEP Joint meeting of the Regional Ozone Networks for Europe & Central Asia (ECA) and South Asia (SA) in Istanbul, Turkey, 26-30 April 2010. As we move forward in the phase-out of ODS, it becomes increasingly important that these substances are managed properly at the end of their useful life and that cost efficient methodologies are developed for this purpose. RemTec International has been involved with the reclamation of ODS since 1986 and destruction of these materials since 1995. RemTec is a leader in environmental management and employ state of the art technology to insure the proper handling of these materials. We are privileged to be able to participate in this important conference for the protection of our environment.
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Update for FSSA written by RemTec President, Richard Marcus
UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and Other Developments
Excerpts provided by David Stirpe, Director
The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Responsibility
As reported in a previous FSSA white paper, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference was held in December 2009. The intent of this meeting was to address the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including the commitments by major developing countries to begin emission reduction efforts. The conference also addressed de-linkage of some of the major developing countries, most notably China, from the "pay to play" diplomacy model. By that we mean in order to participate in future climate change agreements that are legally binding, large carbon emitters in developing countries, such as China and India, expect financial incentives to be paid by developing countries, primarily the United States.
The Final Result
After a two-week process and appearances by top U.S. officials, including President Obama, the Copenhagen conference failed to agree on a legally binding global document to reduce global greenhouse- gas emissions.
The key result of the conference was the decision to "take note" of the Copenhagen Accord, which calls upon nations to submit their commitments, both reductions and financial contributions, by January 31, 2010. Additionally, the decision was taken to extend the work of the ad hoc working groups on long-term cooperative actions and the Kyoto Protocol. All of this activity however is non-binding, and it should be noted that up to this point in time nothing significant has been reported since the Copenhagen meeting.
It is important to note that the success of the conference hinged on negotiations between China and the United States. In the end, however, China made clear that Western diplomats would not push it into additional commitments. Significantly, China acknowledged the need to contribute to the solution and also agreed to withdraw from the old "pay to play" dynamic. But China and other large emitters, such as India and Brazil, made no firm commitments. There was also a major problem regarding the issue of transparent monitoring, reporting and verification.
Climate Change Meeting 2010
Copenhagen only reached a political agreement and not a full treaty. The supporters of climate change hope that a legally binding accord will be reached at the next major climate change meeting at COP 16. This next meeting is scheduled for Cancun, Mexico, November 29 through December 10, 2010.
Will COP 16 in Cancun result in a concrete agreement that is legally binding? It is too early to predict.
California
There is a grass roots effort to put in place an initiative on the California Ballot that would repeal AB 32 and the Golden State's version of a cap-and-trade carbon tax.
With the California jobless rate hovering around 12% plus, 2.25 million Californians are unemployed and the state government is broke, climate change issues tend to have less priority with voters. Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue has begun collecting signatures for "The Global Warming Solutions Act," a ballot initiative that would suspend California's cap-and-trade scheme until the unemployment rate falls below 5.5%. His intention is to get it placed on the November ballot.
U.S. EPA
Perhaps the most significant US activity during the Copenhagen Conference may have been the finalization of the EPA endangerment rule. This rule provides EPA with the authority to implement caps, and maybe some trade, but not offsets. EPA has admitted that a cap and trade system would not work very well without a robust offset component. The program offices at EPA have also been asked to develop climate regulatory agendas based on existing statutory authority.
U.S. Senate Legislative Activity
One development in the Senate to watch is from Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). She has introduced a resolution of disapproval that, if passed and enacted into law, would overturn EPA's Endangerment Finding and remove EPA's regulatory authority to use the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The resolution is co-sponsored by 35 Republicans and 3 Democrats. The two-page resolution would also need to be passed by the House and signed by the President in order to become law. We believe that it requires a simple majority of 51 Senate votes to pass and is not subject to a filibuster.
Now that the health care bill has been signed into law by President Obama, there is renewed interest in the Senate passing climate change legislation, perhaps even this year. Senate staff members are currently drafting amendments to Senate Bill S.1733, Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. This activity will enable the bi-partisan trio of Senators John Kerry, Lindsey Graham, and Joe Lieberman to release a compromise version of the climate change bill in the next several weeks. Environmental and industrial groups have recently signaled their support for the proposed climate change legislation. In a related move, Bruce Josten, the top lobbyist at the US Chamber of Commerce, told reporters last week that the work being done by the three senators was "largely in synch" with the business group's views. Josten stopped short of fully endorsing the bill, but following a recent meeting with the Senator's he struck a markedly different tone to the outright opposition to previous versions of the bill that the Chamber adopted last year.
Summary
At this point in time three different climate actions are in motion to possibly impact the US business community; a very modest international treaty, a potentially more aggressive legislative approach, or a draconian Clean Air Act implementation scheme that the endangerment finding has now triggered. However, new revelations regarding the quality of the science supporting climate change, and ongoing political battles involving healthcare and the economy, may place many of these proposed sweeping economic regulations on hold at least for this year.
3/25/10
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FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION
5024 Campbell Blvd., Suite R, Baltimore, MD 21236-5974
P: (410) 931-8100 F: (410) 931-8111
http://www.fssa.net |
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To: The Fire Protection Industry Representatives
From: RemTec International, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
Subject: HFC-227ea and HFC-125 Contaminated Products
This is an emergency notification to the fire protection industry regarding contaminated HFC-227ea and HFC-125 used in total flood clean agent applications.
RemTec has learned through tests conducted in its laboratory and confirmed by an outside independent laboratory, that newly produced HFC agents manufactured from an unknown foreign source has failed to meet industry standards for moisture, and are also high in particulates and fixed gases. Although we are assuming that these agents were shipped into the United States in ISO containers, it has since been downloaded into smaller bulk containers for sale to fire equipment distributors in the United States.
If you suspect that you may have some of this material, RemTec is offering for a limited time to provide free testing of your HFC inventory.
As a matter of procedure and for assurance to our customers, RemTec tests every (individual) bulk container before it is shipped to our customers. We certify that 100% of RemTec’s inventory material meets at a minimum NFPA 2001 Standards. RemTec also tests to other industry Standards, such as ASTM, ISO, and AHRI-700 upon request.
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RemTec would like to recognize our Emergency Recharge Response Team Members for their quick and quality service the last two weekends. One of our customers had two fire protection system discharges on two different weekends, for two different agents.
The RemTec phone chain started in one case at 12:35 AM. This phone chain was created to put our team members on alert and inform them of the situation. The information that is passed to each person is the type of agent needed, type of tank and the date with the specific time needed for delivery to the customer.
Once the information is received by our team members, they know what’s required and does their part in making these situations go as smooth as possible, whether it’s coming in to paint and recharge the certain cylinders or scheduling the logistics.
We are proud to always be on call and reliable for our customers because we know that fire protection waits for no one.
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Click here to read about ALLIANCE COMMENDS US GOVERNMENT FOR
SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION AND SENTENCING OF HCFC-22 SMUGGLERS
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Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, RemTec reminds you that we are still buying Halon 1211 and Halon 1301. RemTec is supplying recycled and certified Halon for critical users.
We match all competitive prices when buying Halon and we pay all freight. RemTec provides all the shipping documents and schedules the pickups based on your schedule.
RemTec recovers, recycles and certifies all agents to the industry standards required buy our critical users.
RemTec also has a full line of clean agents for recharges with a wide variety of gently used system bottles.
**RemTec will have an additional recharge facility in California by the end of February. This is to provide faster service to our west coast customers and those who need additional options.**
Call me at 800-372-1301 or email me at terri.aufrance@remtec.net if you have any questions.
RemTec Provides:
· Shipping documents.
· Tank pickups are scheduled.
· Free transport of your cylinders to and from our Bowling Green, Ohio processing facility.*
· Payment for your CFCs meeting 98% purity.
· Free disposal of your CFCs testing below 98% purity.
· A complete paper trail for your EPA recordkeeping.
· Hydrostatic testing of your tanks at an additional cost.
*Based on a minimum net weight requirement of refrigerant.
Gary.Stofan@remtec.net or patti.ellingson@remtec.net
RemTec International purchases surpluses of used Halon 1301, Halon 1211, HFC-227ea, HFC-125, HFC-236fa and Novec 1230™.
RemTec also provides quick turnaround recharge service for Halon 1301, HFC-227ea, HFC-125, HFC-236fa and Novec 1230™.
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Industry Dealing With Curbs on HCFCs, HFCs
Taken from October issue of Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration, the NEWS
October 26, 2009
Two independent refrigerant legislative actions are in line to affect supplies of all HCFCs such as R-22 and all HFCs such as R-410A. But the HVACR industry is moving to prevent either action from negatively affecting the ability of contractors to do service work.
That was one aspect of an Executive Roundtable Audio Event hosted by DuPont in early September.
Mack McFarland, DuPont Environmental Fellow, told those listening in on a conference call that the U.S. Clean Air Act is causing a 58 percent reduction in current levels of R-22 production beginning in 2010 and a phase out of the refrigerant by 2020. And he said pending climate change legislation appears to be pointing to a phase down in HFC production starting in 2012.
Regarding HCFCs, he noted the Environmental Protection Agency is projecting a supply of 110 million pounds of virgin R-22 in 2010 while the demand is 137 million pounds for the refrigerant overall. “What does this mean?” asked McFarland. “It means R-22 users need to plan to respond to decreased availability now and consider retrofitting with HFC refrigerants.”
He proposed a two-step plan involving contractors retrofitting what R-22 equipment they can with HFCs that the industry is making available for such a procedure, and then servicing R-22 equipment that is not retrofitted with recovered R-22. He also noted the need for increased reclamation efforts that bring recovered refrigerant back to AHRI-700 purity standards.
At the same time, he acknowledged that pending U.S. climate change legislation has been targeting HFCs, but that the industry “was able to get HFCs out of the broad carbon basket,” that could have resulted in even higher costs and a more rapid phase down. He said it appears now that HFCs will face “only modest equivalent fees” and a reduction schedule that will allow “time to develop and deploy next-generation low-global warming potential refrigerant options.”
He said, “The point is that HFC refrigerants will remain the cost-effective retrofit option.”
During the conference, DuPont promoted one such HFC refrigerant, R-438, which the company markets as MO-99.
Nick Strickland, market development manager, said the refrigerant has “similar pressure enthalpy performance as R-22 and uses mineral oil.” He said the tradeoff is a “slight capacity loss” compared with R-22.
Publication date: 10/26/2009
Visit the NEWS at www.achrnews.com |
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http://we-buy-and-sell-halon.blogspot.com/
http://ods-destruction-carbon-credits.blogspot.com/
http://r-22-refrigerants.blogspot.com/
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