Replacing Damaging HFCs Helps Curb Climate Change

WASHINGTON (July 10, 2014) – The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency today moved to ban the use of certain hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, that significantly contribute to climate change, noting that safer, more climate-friendly alternatives now exist.

The EPA’s move affects HFCs and HFC-containing blends used in aerosols, motor vehicle air conditioning, retail food refrigeration and vending machines, and foam blowing. The agency will accept public comment for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register.

The following is a statement from David Doniger, director of the Climate and Clean Air Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“The EPA’s welcome move marks another crucial step to curb the growing and serious threat of climate change. With safer coolants and aerosols already on the market, we need to phase out the most damaging HFCs now. The benefits are clear: this will help curb dangerous climate warming, drive innovation in energy efficiency, and help fulfill our obligation to leave a better world for our children.”