State and Regional Regulations Related to SF6 Emissions ...

State and Regional Regulations Related to SF6 Emissions

State and Regional Regulations

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a cap-and-invest initiative among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. RGGI targets incremental actions aimed at the early retirement and replacement of SF6-containing electrical equipment. RGGI also targets the repair and refurbishment of SF6-containing equipment, including specific practices to reduce equipment leakage of SF6. The RGGI program also offers SF6 offset projects, which are only eligible in Connecticut. More information on the RGGI program can be found here. More information on the SF6 offset projects (currently only eligible in Connecticut) can be found here.

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California

The California Air Resources Board's (CARB) regulation for Reducing Sulfur Hexafluoride Emissions from Gas Insulated Switchgear took effect in 2011 and is codified in the same subchapter as CARB's mandatory GHG reporting and cap-and-trade regulations. The regulation applies to all owners of SF6-insulated switchgear. It imposes an annual maximum rate of SF6 emissions that is reduced by 1 percent over a ten-year period from 2011 to 2020. From 2021 onwards, the maximum emission rate is not to exceed 1 percent. CARB is also proposing regulatory amendments to phase out the use of SF6 in gas-insulated equipment (GIE) starting in 2025. The phaseout schedule limits GIE owners' ability to acquire new SF6 GIE without an approved SF6 phaseout exemption. More information on California's regulation can be found here.

Massachusetts

The 310 CMR 7.72 regulation aims to reduce SF6 emissions from gas-insulated switchgear. Companies and municipalities that own, lease, operate, or control gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) containing SF6 (collectively referred to by the regulation as "GIS owners") and are located in Massachusetts are required to comply with this regulation. It imposes a maximum annual SF6 leak rate of 1 percent for GIS purchases after 2015. If the annual average leakage rate for the new GIS equipment exceeds 1 percent, the GIS owner must describe the actions that will be taken to reduce the emission rate in the future. More information about 310 CMR 7.72 can be found here.

For More Information

Track EPA Rulemakings: www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/regulations

The Partnership is providing these references for informational purposes only. It is the reader's responsibility to determine applicability and ensure compliance with regulations.

Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) in Research

Because of its high global warming potential, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) passed a regulation to reduce sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas emissions by placing a ban on the sale, use, and release of SF6. Title 17, section 95341 of the California Code of Regulations (17 CCR 95341) lists exemptions to the regulation. Current processes at UCLA that are statutorily exempt from the SF6 regulation include:

• Use in etching (section 95341(a)(2))
• Use as a dielectric medium (section 95341(a)(3))
• Use as an arc quenching medium (section 95341(a)(4))

While not applicable for the above processes, several other exemptions exist that require users to keep records showing the annual quantity of SF6 purchased and used, and require an annual report to CARB.

Despite exemptions, UCLA is committed to optimizing and reducing SF6 use where feasible. Environmental Compliance annually assesses exempted inventory to ensure UCLA's continued compliance.

If your research requires SF6, EH&S must be notified to determine if your use qualifies for an exemption and whether record-keeping and annual reporting is required. Please contact Environmental Compliance at (310) 825-5689 for more information or for assistance.

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