THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a scheme to phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals commonly used in refrigeration, portable fire extinguishers and metal cleaners, reports Bloomberg.

The new rule updates the EPA's most recent production and consumption schedule for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which ran through 2019.



HCFCs are a class of refrigerant whose use was later surpassed by hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which were thought to be more environmentally friendly. Last week, opposition from the White House and some Republicans over a proposed amendment to curb HFCs led to a broad-ranging energy package being pulled from the Senate floor.



The new EPA rule is also consistent with the 1992 Montreal Protocol, which established that after January 1, HCFCs can only be used to service refrigeration, air conditioning, and fire suppression equipment existing on that date.


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