New State Regulations for High-Global Warming Potential
Gases Become Effective in 2011
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is working on
reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from multiple
sectors of California’s economy, as part of the
implementation of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act.
Several of ARB’s regulations take effect in 2011 and will
affect businesses in Ventura County. ARB’s regulations
effective this year will apply to operators of larger
industrial and commercial refrigeration systems and
semiconductor manufacturers. To assist those affected by
ARB’s regulations, the APCD has prepared several Compliance
Assistance Advisories.
On January 1, 2011, a new ARB regulation to minimize leaks
of refrigerants from non-residential refrigeration units
took effect. The regulation, known as the
Refrigerant Management Program, applies to larger
industrial and commercial systems that use high global
warming potential refrigerants – those typically used in
supermarkets, cold storage warehouses, food processing
plants and process cooling operations. The program builds on
long established federal rules on refrigeration systems.
Leaking refrigeration systems are California’s single
largest source of high-Global Warming Potential Gases.
Fixing refrigerant leaks is one of the most cost-effective
ways for businesses to save money on costly refrigerants.
Beginning January 1, 2011, affected businesses must begin
fixing systems and keeping records of all leak repair work.
Registration with the ARB will be required for these
refrigeration systems with a phased-in schedule beginning
January 1, 2012. The APCD has written a
Compliance
Assistance Advisory to
assist operators affected by the regulation. This regulation
is currently being implemented by the ARB.
Semiconductor manufacturing facilities are now subject to
ARB’s
Regulation to Reduce GHG Emissions from Semiconductor
Operations
and by March 1, 2011, must submit an “initial emissions
report” to the Ventura County APCD to quantify annual
emissions of fluorinated gases from semiconductor
operations. Annual emissions reports are required by March
1st of each calendar year. Beginning January 1, 2012, new
emission standards will apply; if equipment installation or
modification is required to meet the emissions standards, an
Authority to Construct application must be submitted to the
APCD as soon as possible. This new regulation will be
implemented by the APCD. A
Compliance Assistance Advisory has been written to assist
semiconductor manufacturers affected by the regulation.
For more information on ARB’s work on reducing greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions as part of the implementation of AB 32,
the Global Warming Solutions Act, visit ARB’s
Climate Change
Program website.
