EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE	Contact: Dave Stirpe
September 17, 2002 - 9:30 AM	Phone: (703) 243-0344

WASHINGTON, DC --- The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (Alliance), an industry coalition representing the major business sectors that phased out of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), today urged the Bush Administration and all parties to the Montreal Protocol to continue the course toward compliance with the Protocol and stratospheric ozone layer protection.

"Compliance with the Montreal Protocol by all countries and the phaseout of CFC production and use in developing countries is the most important remaining step in achieving recovery of the ozone layer," said Kevin Fay, Alliance Counsel at an event today sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrating the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol.

"Attempts by nations to weaken the phaseout schedules for ozone-depleting compounds, disregard the illegal trade in banned chemicals, or otherwise defy complying with the Protocol's terms will delay the objectives and goals that governments, industry, and environmental organizations established 15 years ago," Fay stated.

Fay congratulated the US government, particularly EPA, four Presidential Administrations, and the Congress, for their leadership and guidance through tough international negotiations and implementation of the Protocol in the U.S.

"The United States has played a major leadership role in the successful negotiation and implementation of the Protocol. We congratulate the Bush Administration for their support and urge them to continue the strong commitment toward ozone layer protection," he said.

"Industry has also played a major role including its early recognition of the environmental challenge, its commitment to phasing out CFCs, halons and other ozone-depleting compounds, and its multi-billion dollar investment in new compounds and new technology," Fay stated.

A total of 183 nations have ratified the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The Alliance is an industry coalition that addresses ozone protection, climate change, and energy efficiency issues. It is comprised of nearly 200 manufacturers and businesses, including many multinationals, that rely on substitutes for ozone-depleting compounds, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). See the Alliance website at www.arap.org for more information.