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Phase-out of HFC-134a in California soon? |
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California's latest public workshop emphasized the need to limit emissions from Mobile Air Conditioning, even considering the phase-out of the potent refrigerant HFC-134a. The next workshop in February will discuss a new Global Warming Index Label on all vehicles by 2009.
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2007-01-24
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The workshop concluded that a restriction of refrigerants with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) would be a key element of the State's early action measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from the 1990 level by 2020.
Proposals
The California Air Resources Board has identified the following strategies to reduce effectively hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC):
- Phase-out HFC-134a to use only low-GWP refrigerants in new vehicles
- Ban any leakage of HFCs from end-of-life vehicles through a federal recovery obligation
- Restrict the retail sale of HFCs in small cans used for recharging leaking MAC
- Ban "do-it-yourself" servicing of MAC to allow only professional servicing
- Reduce direct and indirect emissions from Mobile Air Conditioning
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Next steps
The public workshop, held on 22 January, set a timeframe for early action measures to reduce GHG emissions in California. This new Climate Action Plan will consist of an in-dept source and sector analysis, as well as the identification of mandatory and voluntary emission reduction measures. Both will be completed by end-2007.
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One key issue on the agenda is the establishment of "Motor Vehicle Climate Change Standards". The next public workshop on 15 February will therefore discuss to expand the existing Smog Index Label to include a Global Warming Index Label. This label will help consumers compare the emission of global warming gases from different cars within that model year. It will be affixed to the window of every new car sold in California by 2009.
Background
The California Air Resources Board is responsible for implementing the "Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006". After the on-going series of public workshops, meetings and symposiums, it will publish a list of discrete early action measures by June 30, 2007. These measures will enter into force by January 1, 2010.
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More information:
 Presentation CARB workshop, 22 January - Morning Session (241 KB)
Presentation CARB workshop, 22 January - Afternoon Session (361 KB)
› See our news about California's Climate Change workshops from 22 December, 2006
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