EPA Penalizes Companies for Not Complying With HFC Allowance System
The Environmental Protection Agency issued its first notices of violation under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020, for not following the agency's new allowance system when importing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The 2023 allowances for HFCs were announced Oct. 7, 2022, as part of the “phasedown” of HFCs (see 2210070066). “Compliance with the allowance system is critical to assuring the success of the United States’ HFC phasedown program. Illegal imports undermine the phasedown, disadvantage companies who follow the rules, and contribute to global warming,” the agency said March 2.
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EPA also announced that it settled with three companies that failed to report their imported quantities of HFC in violation of the Clean Air Act: Artsen Chemical America, with a $247,601 penalty; Harp USA, $275,000; and IGas Companies, $382,473. “Stopping illegal HFC imports is a top priority of a federal interagency task force” that includes EPA and CBP, the agency said.