On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") filed a complaint for civil penalties against USA Wholesale, Inc. for the illegal import of hydrofluorocarbons ("HFCs"). HFCs are greenhouse gases used...more
On December 26, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published an Interim final rule updating its October final rule restricting the use of some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a key substance used in refrigeration...more
Nearly one year after ratifying the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Environmental Protection Agency announced two additional actions to further this initiative under...more
REGULATORY ISSUES & UPDATES - New CFTC Enforcement on Carbon Markets Misconduct - The U.S. CFTC publishes a rare alert soliciting tips about potential manipulation in the carbon markets and announces the formation of...more
On June 20, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors Int'l v. Envtl. Prot. Agency, No. 21-1251, (D.C. Cir. June 20, 2023),...more
On July 13, 2023, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) published proposed amendments to Chapter 173-443 WAC, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Key provisions of the Proposed Rule include...more
On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer by a bipartisan vote of 69-27. The...more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule on October 5, 2021 establishing an allowance allocation and trading program for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The rule implements certain key requirements...more
A group of 14 Democratic AGs led by Massachusetts AG Maura Healey sent a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to support to Agency’s proposed rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing...more
EPA to Phase Down HFC Use in Early Step to Advance Biden-Harris Climate, Environmental Justice Agendas Last week, the Biden-Harris administration took action—with some bipartisan backing from Capitol Hill—to reduce the...more
On May 3, 2021, EPA announced its first major climate change rule under the Biden Administration, proposing to phase down the manufacture and import of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases. EPA...more
Industries impacted by the AIM Act’s HFC phasedown must prepare to address the costs and other challenges of complying with a new and emerging regulatory framework. The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act)...more
On December 27, President Donald Trump signed a $1.4 trillion appropriations package funding the government through September 2021 and a $900 billion fiscal stimulus law for coronavirus aid. Media attention has focused on the...more
Following California’s lead, Washington State has revived, at the state level, federal limits on greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and is contemplating additional restrictions in the future. HFCs are...more
On April 5, 2019, the D.C. Circuit largely struck down another regulation restricting the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in certain products under EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP). The court held that it was...more
Since 1994, EPA has regulated hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases, through several programs under Title VI of the Clean Air Act (CAA) governing stratospheric ozone protection. In a recent decision,...more
Industries that manufacture products containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), such as aerosol cans, refrigerators, automobile air conditioners, building insulation and fire extinguisher foams, can breathe easier this month...more
In 1987, the United States signed the Montreal Protocol (Protocol). The Protocol is an international agreement that has been ratified by every nation that is a member of the United Nations. The Protocol requires nations to...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Businesses and industries that had been impacted by the EPA’s HFCs rule may wish to monitor EPA’s response to this opinion carefully....more
On October 15, 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda the majority of the world’s developed and developing countries executed a binding agreement to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a greenhouse gas that is emitted by air...more
On September 26, 2016, EPA released a Final Rule updating the Agency’s Refrigerant Management Program... ..The Final Rule is scheduled to become effective January 1, 2017 and, for the first time, expands the requirements...more