New York Finalizes HFC-Reduction Rules, Launches HVAC Development Fund

The state adopts U.S. EPA’s abandoned SNAP rules 20 and 21 and starts a program to fund climate-friendly HVAC systems.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
Photo by Diana Robinson, Wikimedia Commons

New York (U.S.) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on September 23 during Climate Week NYC 2020 that new regulations have been finalized to significantly reduce the use of HFCs in the state in the absence of federal regulations of the climate-warming gases.

The New York regulations, originally proposed in 2018, will adopt 2015 and 2016 rules (20 and 21, respectively) adopted under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program; these rules ban a number of high-GWP HFCs in specific applications.

In 2018, the EPA dismissed SNAP rules 20 and 21 pending a new rulemaking, in response to a U.S. Appeals Court ruling the previous year that narrowed its authority to regulate HFCs.

The New York HFC regulations apply to new or retrofitted food refrigeration equipment, chillers and vending machines, as well as aerosol propellants and foam-blowing agents in new consumer products. The prohibitions will take place over the next four years and are expected to reduce HFC emissions by more than 20% of projected levels by 2030, or a cumulative total of 17 million metric tons of CO2e emissions. 

“Addressing HFCs in these substantial markets will help drive industry to transition away from HFCs nationally and globally,” said Cuomo’s office in a statement. “In addition, American-based businesses that produce substitutes for HFCs will benefit from New York's leadership in taking this action."

The formal Notice of Adoption is being filed with the Department of State and is anticipated to appear in the October 14, 2020 State Register. The rule will be effective 30 days after filing.

The regulations support the implementation of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which calls for reducing overall GHG emissions 40% by 2030 on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality. 

New York joins Colorado, Virginia, California, Vermont, Washington and New Jersey as U.S. states that have passed legislation to adopt HFC use limits based on SNAP rules 20 and 21. Other states, including Hawaii, Oregon, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, have committed to regulatory action to do the same. These 16 states are among the 24 plus Puerto Rico in the U.S. Climate Alliance, a group launched to address climate change following the Trump Administration’s decision to quit the Paris climate agreement.

HVAC Innovation Challenge

New York’s new regulations complement a new $3 million initiative – the Next Generation HVAC Innovation Challenge, directed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) – to bring new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for buildings. 

Under the Next Generation HVAC Innovation Challenge, funding will be used to spur development and adoption of new refrigerants that have “a less damaging effect on the environment than their current counterparts,” said Cuomo’s office. The initiative supports clean energy companies “that want to develop, commercialize, and demonstrate new technologies that improve the performance of advanced HVAC systems and create new economically viable opportunities for energy efficiency in buildings.”

The funding will be offered through a competitive solicitation process to develop such technologies as advanced refrigerant monitoring and leak detection solutions; new compressor technologies; in-field leak repair solutions; demonstration and evaluation of emerging technologies; refrigerant capture and recycling; industry collaboration on training, market awareness and product requirements; and overall development of low climate-change refrigerants. 

The initiative will also help make electrification solutions like heat pumps “more environmentally friendly and cost effective, accelerating the adoption of these non-fossil fuel heating and cooling solutions for communities across New York State,” said Cuomo’s office.

In total, $15 million has been made available through four rounds of the challenge to encourage private investment and advance the next generation of HVAC systems for buildings. 

Applications for the Challenge are due on November 17, 2020 with awards anticipated in the first quarter of 2021. For more information about this funding or to see if which companies qualify, click here.

Addressing HFCs in these substantial markets will help drive industry to transition away from HFCs nationally and globally."
– Office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

By Michael Garry

Sep 25, 2020, 18:02




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