Proposed Rule 26 – Listing of Substitutes under the SNAP Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.
On May 1, 2023, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan signed a proposed rule titled, “Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.” This proposed action lists new alternatives for commercial and industrial refrigeration, specifically for retail food refrigeration (new), commercial ice machines (new), industrial process refrigeration (new), cold storage warehouses (new), and ice skating rinks (new). This action also would update use conditions for the refrigerant R-290 (propane) when used in self-contained commercial ice machines and stand-alone retail refrigeration equipment (new) and would allow for a transition period between the existing and updated use conditions. EPA is proposing these listings after its evaluation of human health and environmental information on various substitutes submitted to the SNAP program.
In addition to proposing to list propane as acceptable, subject to use conditions, as a refrigerant in new refrigerated food processing and dispensing equipment, EPA is also proposing to exempt propane in this end‐use from the venting prohibition under section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
An advance copy of the proposed rule is available at www.epa.gov/snap/snap-regulations, which will be updated once the rule is published in the Federal Register. To view the public docket after publication in the Federal Register, visit www.regulations.gov and search for docket number EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0043.