WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (Alliance), today reported that EPA will begin a formal rulemaking process to determine if safe and acceptable alternatives exist for HFC-134a in motor vehicle air conditioners (MVACs). HFC-134a has been the primary refrigerant for air conditioning in new motor vehicles since the early 1990s. The Alliance is an industry coalition representing fluorocarbon producers and manufacturers of products utilizing these compounds.

In a letter to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), who had petitioned EPA to remove HFC-134a from the list of acceptable refrigerants for MVACs, Elizabeth Craig, Acting Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs at EPA stated, "We are finding your May 7, 2010 petition complete for new passenger cars and light duty vehicles ... which petitions us to remove HFC134a from the list of acceptable alternatives in new MVACs only."

Craig added, "EPA will initiate notice and comment rulemaking in response to your petition. EPA acknowledges the need to evaluate and take comment on many factors including, but not limited to, the time frame for the introduction of newer alternatives in the automotive market, and potential lead time for automobile manufacturers to accommodate alternatives."

According to EPA representatives, the petition made the case that EPA will look to propose whether HFC-134a will move from the list of acceptable refrigerants for MVACs to the list of unacceptable refrigerants. The petition begins a process to determine whether a transition can occur. There is no decision at this time that, in fact, a transition will occur.

Dave Stirpe, Alliance Executive Director stated, "EPA needs to gather available information from stakeholders and the public as to whether a transition can occur, whether there is a supply of alternatives, whether a timeline can be established, etc. Thereafter, EPA will propose a decision and invite public comment. A final decision will be made only after comments have been considered and evaluated. The public will not know EPA's final decision about any transition to alternative compounds until the rulemaking is complete."

Stirpe added, "The Alliance welcomes the opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process."

On March 29, 2011, EPA published a final rule approving Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-1234yf as a refrigerant for MVACs. EPA stated, "By approving this alternative, EPA will provide an additional choice to the automotive industry. If the automotive industry chooses to adopt this alternative refrigerant, it shall follow procedures to use this refrigerant in a responsible manner. HFO-1234yf has significantly lower climate impacts than HFC-134a." The Alliance supports EPA's approval of HFO-1234yf.