Technology Transition Petitions under the AIM Act
The AIM Act includes provisions to support industry’s transition to next-generation technology. Under subsection (i) of the AIM Act, entitled “Technology Transitions,” on its own initiative, EPA may by rule restrict, either fully, partially, or on a graduated schedule, the use of HFCs in sectors or subsectors where they are used. A person may also petition EPA to promulgate such a rule. Once EPA receives a petition under subsection (i), the AIM Act directs the Agency to evaluate the petition and to grant or deny the petition within 180 days of receipt.
How to Submit Petitions Under Subsection (i) of the AIM Act
Due to the current limited access to the Agency mailroom while employees telework, and to facilitate timely receipt of your petition, please submit petitions electronically here.
Information on Petitions
EPA has established a docket for petitions at www.regulations.gov, under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0289. Submitted petitions under subsection (i) of the AIM Act and other relevant material will be posted in this docket and accessible to the public. Please see the following notice of data availability for more information:
To submit information on petitions received to date, please click here (upon entering the web page, click "Comment" and follow the instructions). A table of petitions received to date is below, along with the deadline to submit information to the docket.*
- Federal Register link to Notice Granting Technology Transition Petitions (10/14/2021, 86 FR 57141)
- Federal Register link to Notice on EPA’s Consideration of Negotiated Rulemaking for Granted or Partially Granted Petitions (12/29/2021)
- Federal Register link to Notice of Petitions Granted under Subsection (i) of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (10/04/2022, 87 FR 60158)
- FAQs on Technology Transitions under subsection (i) of the AIM Act
Petitioner |
Receipt Date |
Topic |
Please Submit Information to the Docket by*: |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.V.W Inc | December 15, 2022 | February 21, 2023 | Denied | |
| Gebauer Company | September 23, 2022 | Use of HFCs in Medical Devices | November 30, 2022 | Denied |
| International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), et al. | May 23, 2022 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Refrigeration End-Uses | July 29, 2022 | Granted |
| Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), et al. | March 24, 2022 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Commercial Refrigeration Equipment | June 3, 2022 | Granted |
| Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), et al. | October 12, 2021 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Commercial Refrigeration Equipment | January 4, 2022 | Granted |
| Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), et al. | August 19, 2021 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Commercial Refrigeration Equipment | October 6, 2021 | Granted |
| California Air Resources Board (CARB), et al. | July 15, 2021 | Replicate HFC Prohibitions from SNAP Rules 20 & 21 and Issue Additional Federal Standards | August 20, 2021 | Partially Granted |
| Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) and National Aerosol Association (NAA) | July 6, 2021 | Replicate SNAP Rules 20 and 21 HFC prohibitions for Aerosol Propellants | August 20, 2021 | Granted |
| International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), et al. | June 3, 2021 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Refrigeration End-Uses | July 12, 2021 | Granted |
| American Chemistry Council’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) | May 26, 2021 | Replicate SNAP Rules 20 and 21 HFC Prohibitions for the Polyurethane Industry | July 12, 2021 | Granted |
| DuPont | May 10, 2021 | Replicate SNAP Rule 20 with Regard to the Phase-out of HFC-134a in Extruded Polystyrene Boardstock and Billet (XPS) End-use | June 28, 2021 | Granted |
| DuPont | May 10, 2021 | Replicate SNAP Rule 21 with Regard to Rigid Polyurethane Low-pressure Two-component Spray Foam (2K-LP SPF) End-use | June 28, 2021 | Granted |
| Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) | May 3, 2021 | Prohibit the Sale of HFCs in Consumer Recharge Containers for Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Systems and Consumer Appliances; Restrict the Use of HFCs in Products Earning the Voluntary Energy Star Label | June 28, 2021 | Under Review |
| Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) |
April 13, 2021 |
Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers | June 8, 2021 | Granted |
| Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), et al. | April 13, 2021 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Commercial Refrigeration Equipment | June 8, 2021 | Granted |
| Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), et al. | April 13, 2021 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Residential and Light Commercial Air Conditioners | June 8, 2021 | Granted |
| Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), et al. | April 13, 2021 | Restrict the Use of HFCs in Certain Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning End-uses | June 8, 2021 | Granted |
| Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), et al. | April 13, 2021 | Replicate HFC Prohibitions from SNAP Rules 20 & 21 | June 8, 2021 | Granted |
*Note that the Agency will consider comments received by these deadlines in its evaluation to grant or deny petitions to meet the statutory deadlines required under the AIM Act. EPA may also consider information submitted after the deadlines in its decision on petitions or in developing any rulemaking related to petition(s) submitted under AIM Act subsection (i).
How Petitions will be Evaluated
The AIM Act identifies certain factors for the Agency to consider when evaluating a petition that has been submitted under subsection (i). Specifically, the Act requires EPA to consider, to the extent practicable:
(1) the best available data;
(2) the availability of substitutes for use of the regulated substance that is the subject of the petition, in a sector or subsector, taking into account technological achievability, commercial demands, affordability for residential and small business consumers, safety, consumer costs, building codes, appliance efficiency standards, contractor training costs, and other relevant factors, including the quantities of regulated substances available from reclaiming, prior production, or prior import;
(3) overall economic costs and environmental impacts, as compared to historical trends; and
(4) the remaining phase-down period for regulated substances under the final rule issued under subsection (e)(3) of the AIM Act, if applicable.
Furthermore, the AIM Act specifies that EPA shall consider these factors when carrying out subsection (i):
(1) evaluate substitutes for regulated substances in a sector or subsector, taking into account technological achievability, commercial demands, safety, overall economic costs and environmental impacts, and other relevant factors; and
(2) make the evaluation under subparagraph (A) available to the public, including the factors associated with the safety of those substitutes.
New Petition Notification
If you would like to receive notifications when new petitions submitted under subsection (i) of the AIM Act are posted, please contact here.