"EPA Lays Out New Plan for Phasing Out Climate Pollutants"

"The EPA will issue a plan on Tuesday for the phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals commonly used in refrigeration, portable fire extinguishers, and metal cleaners.

The new final rule updates the Environmental Protection Agency’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."

Stephen Lee reports for Bloomberg Environment March 16, 2020.