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Regulation & Compliance

EPA Launches Region 10 Initiative for Facilities Under 10,000 lbs of Ammonia

The Environmental Protection Agency has launched an initiative in the Pacific Northwest to improve the safety of smaller ammonia refrigeration facilities – focused on facilities with under 10,000 pounds of ammonia. The initiative, which is being carried out by EPA Region 10, was developed with input from EPA region 1 and the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration. It is aimed at improving compliance with the General Duty Clause of Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. Section 112(r) specifies that owners and operators of stationary sources producing, processing, handling, or storing extremely hazardous substances, including anhydrous ammonia, have the duty to reduce the risk of chemical accidents.

Safety

Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Focus

The following fact sheet was published by the Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 to communicate details about the Region 10 compliance initiative for facilities under 10,000 pounds of ammonia. It is reproduced here for the benefit of IIAR members and non-members with facilities under 10,000 pounds of ammonia.

Regulation & Compliance

IIAR Enforcement Awareness: General Duty Clause Requirements: Facilities with Smaller Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

Most IIAR members will likely have a hazard analysis in place. However, if your facility does not, we encourage you to get this done soon. If you are a contractor, a consultant, or sell equipment or other goods, we encourage you to pass the word to your end-user clients, especially those with smaller facilities that might not have a hazard analysis in place.

Fall 2024

New York’s Cap-and-Invest Proposal Could Aid the Transition to Low-GWP Refrigerants

New York has introduced the Cap-and-Invest Program to help the state achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements outlined in the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Fall 2024

REGULATORY OUTLOOK Under the Next Trump Administration

The 2024 election delivered Donald Trump a victory in the Electoral College, along with Republican majorities (albeit by thin margins) in both the House and Senate.

Fall 2024

How Cold is That Wind?

Sometimes, lessons need to be repeated, which can be a good thing depending on the experience you are going through for the lesson. Even tough lessons can help. As we slide into winter and the La Nina projections for the coming months, an experience I had last year was a lesson learned about "cold."

Fall 2024

IIAR Presents at RETA’s Annual Conference

IIAR recently presented the sessions IIAR Suite of Standards Update and Summary of Natural Refrigerants Codes & Standards at the RETA National Conference.

Fall 2024

IIAR STANDARDS UPDATE

IIAR 1: ANSI/IIAR 1-2022 Standard for Definitions and Terminology Used in IIAR Standards is presently in effect.

Fall 2024

Attendees at RETA’s Conference Take Advantage of IIAR 6 Certification

IIAR held its first IIAR-6 certificate course at the 2024 RETA National Conference in October. The course features seven modules and covers everything from the purpose of the standard to safety systems.

Fall 2024

TECHNICAL PAPER #5

Ammonia refrigeration system managers are looking for more useful information regarding risk mitigation and compliance because they need to determine whether components are fit for service or vulnerable to damage,

Uncategorized

EPA Finalizes Third AIM Act Rule

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which was enacted on December 27, 2020, authorized the EPA to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in three areas: (1) Phasing down HFC production, (2) Facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions and (3) Regulating to minimize HFC releases and maximizing reclamation efforts. The EPA has methodically executed on this mandate with the three rules addressing each of these areas. The third of these rules has just completed its public review period and has been finalized.

Uncategorized

Kelvin Group Acquires JS Compliance

Mechanical services provider Kelvin Group announced it has completed an acquisition of JS Compliance, LLC. The company said its acquisition partner was private equity firm Southfield Capital. Magnolia, TX-based JS Compliance specializes in process safety management and risk management consultancy and serves a client base within the food and beverage manufacturing and logistics industries.

Summer 2024

States, Regulatory Agencies Focus on PFAS

A growing number of states and federal regulatory agencies are examining the effects of perfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, and regulatory frameworks are evolving due to concerns over their persistence in the environment and potential health impacts. “More than 30 states have introduced or adopted regulations related to PFAS, but until recently, refrigerants were not at the forefront of those discussions. That is starting to change,” said Danielle Wright, executive director of the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council.

Technology & Equipment

BAC Announces AI Platform

Baltimore Aircoil Company Inc. (BAC), announced the launch of its AI-driven Loop Platform. The company said the platform is tailored for end users, including building and facility owners, managers, and maintenance professionals. BAC said the benefit to maintenance professionals is the platform's ability to predict potential issues before they escalate, streamlining maintenance schedules and minimizing unexpected downtime.

IIAR Unveils Enhanced Membership Benefits

IIAR has a wide range of benefits available to members, from professional development opportunities to industry networking, and as of July 1, members have access to even more than they did before. "Our members get access to the most reliable up-to-date information about the refrigeration industry, best practices, and ongoing education," said Lisa Berryman, member services manager for IIAR. "We are constantly looking at new ways to provide value, which is why we now include more training and unlimited access to technical information as part of membership."

Technology & Equipment

Güntner Announces New Product Offering

Güntner announced a new product offering that the company said “leverages a versatile, data-driven strategy to optimize energy efficiency, enhance system reliability and provide analysis and monitoring.” The new product range of data-driven controllers and solutions, called aicore (pronounced “i-core”), includes the current next-generation controllers called aicore air (previously GMMnext), and aicore hydro (previously GHM).

Paraguay Becomes Latest Country to Adopt IIAR Standards

The Board of Directors of the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration, during the Institute’s last meeting in June 2024, approved an agreement with Paraguay’s Institute of Standards and Metrology. The Institute of Standards and Metrology said it will start adopting IIAR standards as Paraguay’s national standards. Paraguay has one of the largest meat and dairy industries in Latin America. The country exports their products worldwide, including to Brazil, which is the largest exporter in the world of meat products.

Safety

Calibration Technologies Attends IIAR Guadalajara Conference

Calibration Technologies said it attended this year’s IIAR CAPÍTULO MÉXICO Refrigeración Industrial Conference in Guadalajara Mexico. Representing the company at the IIAR event were CTI employees Mike Cusanno and Miguel Lopez. The company said in a statement that ”CTI is excited to participate in IIAR’s international events. As nations around the globe are working towards lower emissions by adopting natural refrigerants, IIAR is providing the much-needed safety standards and CTI is providing gas detectors for NH3, CO2, and hydrocarbons.”

Uncategorized

Industry Eyes HFC, PFAS Restrictions; IIAR Releases AIM Act Phasedown Guide by GWP

The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration’s Education Committee announced that it has finalized the creation of a one-pager guide to the AIM Act phasedown, to quickly illustrate the scope of refrigerants currently being used, based on their global warming potential. The IIAR AIM Act Fact Sheet can be downloaded as a PDF from the IIAR AIM Act website: What is the AIM Act? (iiar.org)

Work on the AIM Act Continues

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to move forward with regulations under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which will restrict the use of hydrofluorocarbons. The agency is currently working on Subsection (h), which focuses on managing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and substitutes. Tristam Coffin, co-founder of Effecterra and president of sustainability, policy, and technical services, said the EPA doesn't have a statutory date for finalizing the Subsection.