ACtion Magazine - May 2017 - 22

Global Service Horizons

taminated R-134a or R-1234yf Refrigerant from
Mobile Automotive Air Conditioning Systems.
* SAE J3030 - Automotive Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling/Recharging Equipment Intended
for Use with Both R-1234yf and R-134a."
"CAA Section 608 is intended to reduce emissions
of ozone depleting substances and substitute refrigerants during the service, repair and disposal of refrigerant equipment," explained Weiner. "The final Section 608
rule, published in November 2016, removed obsolete requirements and extended requirements to decrease leaks,
improve compliance, and enhance clarity and understanding. Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the changes specific to MVAC
include:
* The sale of most refrigerants will be restricted to Section 608 and 609 certified technicians
only.
* Small cans (2 pounds of less) of refrigerants
for MVAC servicing may continue to be manufactured or imported and sold, only if they are
equipped with self-sealing valves (that meet
California regulations).
* Distributors must keep refrigerant sales records and verify purchasers are (or employ) 608
or 609 certified technicians. In addition, refrigerants must be resealed prior to disposal."

EPA Changes Direction Right After MACS 2017
Shortly after MACS 2017, former Oklahoma Attorney
General Scott Pruitt was appointed, confirmed, and sworn
in as the new EPA administrator. On March 28, Administrator Pruitt stated, "President Trump's Executive Order
sets a new journey, a new pathway forward on how we are
going to do business in this country with respect to energy
and the environment."

Pruitt then outlined some of the details in the Executive Order that delineated the future direction of the EPA.
"This includes reviewing rules on emissions and reconsidering the fuel efficiency standards for cars and light duty
trucks."

CARB Affirms Refrigerant and Emissions Regs,
Adds Heavy-Duty Phase 2 Rule
The CARB also intends to continue with its stringent
vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards and zero-emission vehicle program for cars and light trucks sold in California through 2025, according to Zhan.
When referred to the CARB's Chairperson, Mary D.
Nichols, she said, "The CARB has confirmed the technical
reviews of both our own staff, the EPA, and independent
analysts. The Board found that the technology to achieve
these regulations is not only currently available, but has
exceeded the original expectations, both for level of development and cost, when the standards were first adopted
with automaker support in 2012."
"The Board supports this comprehensive, multi-year
and multi-staff assessment and analysis, which concluded
that the standards for model years 2022-25 are appropriate
and feasible, regardless of what the EPA does," she continued. "The Board also voted to support the expansion of
the zero-emission vehicle marketplace before 2025, and
called for redoubling current efforts underway to support
market growth and pave the way for new regulations designed to rapidly increase the number of zero-emission vehicles required to be sold in California after 2025."
Zhan explained the pending heavy-duty regulation.
"By October 2017, the CARB will seek to harmonize its
Phase 2 rule with the EPA's current Phase 2 rule, which
was issued in August 2016. This second phase of standards, which applies to medium and heavy-duty vehicles,
as well as commercial trailers, is intended to improve fuel
efficiency and cut carbon pollution from MVAC CO2 and
tailpipe emissions."

CARB

"Any differences between the CARB and EPA rules
will be limited to those specific to California legislation,
such as those that facilitate enforcement, align with other
existing California programs, or provide additional incentives for advanced technologies. Of note, CARB wants to
use a phased-down system of fuel economy credits as incentive to quicker implementation of qualifying advanced
technologies."
The CARB provided these resources for those seeking information about pending California Phase 2 regulation of mediumand heavy-duty vehicles

22

ACTION * May 2017

"Entities seeking CARB Phase 2 certification will be
required to submit information about: (1) the refrigerant's
type used; (2) capacity (charger size); (3) detailed specifi-
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/hfc-mac/hfc-mac.htm https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/caphase2ghg/caphase2ghg.htm
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - May 2017
