Document bBZ1gVYvQLRdeLVdDMvgbZNRD

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Flag: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 7/11/2017 10:50:28 PM brian sodoma j Ex. 6 Press [/o=ExchiaTTgaDS7ir=fxcnanprdm inistrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] RE: R-22 Phaseout Follow up No. Please use, "an EPA spokesperson." From: brian sodoma f Ex. 6 ] Sent: Tuesday, July 1172017 6:49 PM To: Jones, Enesta clones.Enesta@epa.gov> Subject: Re: R-22 Phaseout Hi Enesta, may I attribute to your name as pea spokesperson? From: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 1:21:20 PM To: brian sodoma Cc: Press Subject: RE: R-22 Phaseout Hi Brian, Please attribute our response to an EPA spokesperson: R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon that depletes the stratospheric ozone layer. It is being phased out in the United States under the Clean Air Act and globally under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Starting on January 1, 2020, U.S. production and import of "virgin" R-22 will end. However, vendors will be allowed to sell remaining R-22 produced prior to 2020 until supplies are exhausted. Additionally, R-22 can be recovered from existing systems and reclaimed for reuse. Owners of air conditioning (AC) equipment using R-22 can continue to use R-22 in existing systems beyond 2020. R-22 that is recovered and reclaimed, along with R-22 produced prior to 2020, will help meet the needs of owners of existing R-22 systems well beyond the phaseout date. There are several different refrigerants other than R-22 already available for residential AC systems. For homeowners, it's important to note that some of these alternatives are only available for new residential AC systems, while others are approved for use in both new and retrofitted residential AC systems. One common alternative is R-410A, which is known by trade names such as GENETRON AZ-20, SUVA 410A, Forane 410A, and Puron. R-410A is only available for new equipment, not for retrofitting existing AC systems, including R-22 systems. Other commonly available alternatives include R-407C, R-407A, and R-134a. A full list of EPA-acceptable alternatives for home air conditioners is available at https://www.epa.gov/snap/acceptable-substitutes-residential-and-light-commercial-air-conditioning-and-heatpumps. When retrofitting an existing R-22 system to an alternative refrigerant, ensure that the technician recovers any remaining R-22 in the system before adding the non-ozone depleting alternative and explains how the conversion to a different refrigerant might affect the system's performance and energy use. You can also learn more about some of the alternatives and the phaseout of R-22 in a fact sheet for homeowners available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/201507/documents/residential air conditioning and the phaseout of hcfc-22 what you need to know.pdf. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00029853-00001 As noted above, owners of AC systems that use R-22 are not required to stop using R-22 air conditioners nor to replace existing systems. Even though there is no immediate need for change, R-22 supply will decline over the next decade or more, and prices may rise. R-22 that is recovered and reclaimed, along with R-22 produced prior to 2020, will help meet the needs of owners of existing R-22 systems. The most important thing a homeowner can do is to maintain the AC unit properly, because appropriate servicing minimizes potential environmental damage and prolongs the life of the system. When selecting a technician, make sure he/she has the required Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 certification needed to service equipment containing R-22. Homeowners should also request that service technicians locate and repair leaks instead of just "topping off" leaking systems. This will protect the ozone layer, minimize future service calls, and reduce equipment operation costs by optimizing performance. It is also illegal to intentionally release any refrigerant when servicing or disposing of AC equipment. It's important for equipment owners to be aware of unapproved refrigerants such as "R-22a" or "22a" which are not the same as R-22. These are primarily propane and are highly flammable. The EPA has listed certain flammable refrigerants like R-22a as unacceptable for use in retrofitting existing residential and light commercial unitary split AC systems and heat pumps. Using these propane-based refrigerants in an air conditioner that is not designed for flammable refrigerants poses a threat to homeowners and service technicians. EPA is investigating instances where propane-based refrigerants have been marketed and used as R-22 replacements and has taken enforcement actions where appropriate. More information on R-22a is available at https://www.epa.gov/snap/questions-and-answers-about-r-22a-safety. Enesta Jones U.S. EPA Office of Media Relations | Office: 202.564.7873 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." From: brian sodoma i Ex. 6 Sent: Wednesday, July 0572017 2:36 PM"""' To: Jones, Enesta cJones.Enesta@epa.gov> Subject: Re: R-22 Phaseout Hi Enesta, Thanks for your response. Deadline is EOB Tues., June 11th. We're looking to see if someone can answer the following questions. 1. In 2020, will vendors be allowed to sell remaining R-22 until supplies are exhausted? Is this a date ending the production of R-22? We want to clarify what 2020 really means for consumers. 2. Is it possible to start using a different refrigerant today? What advice might you give someone who is faced with needing to get a new air conditioner today, given this change is on the horizon? 3. If someone has a machine that needs R22 refrigerant after 2020, but is otherwise in good working condition, what options does that person have? 4. What is the greatest misinformation you are often clarifying regarding this subject? Thanks! Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00029853-00002 Brian Ex. 6 From: Jones, Enesta <Jones. Enesta@epa.gov> Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2017 9:20 AM To: ______ JxJs______ j Cc: Press Subject: R-22 Phaseout Hi Brian, I will see if an interview is possible. Can you send specific questions and firm deadline, please? From: brian sodoma i ................... Ex. 6.................1 Sent: Wednesday, July 05',"2017"lT fil'A M To: StClair, Christie <StClair.Christie@epa.gov> Subject: Las Vegas Review Journal story about R-22 phase out Hi Christie, My name is Brian Sodoma. I'm a writer working on a feature for the Las Vegas Review Journal, the major daily in Las Vegas. The story is to run in the "Home" section and focuses on R-22 refrigerant and what consumers should know about future availability in 2020, what they can and can't do if they have a functioning system that requires R-22 after that date, as well as how to make the best decision now if they need to replace a unit. It's intended to be a simple, informative piece for consumers about the subject. Might there be someone at the EPA who could do a quick phone interview on the subject in the next week? Please let me know. Thank you for taking a moment from your day. Sincerely, Brian Sodoma ........Ex. 6........ i_______________________________________ Enesta Jones U.S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: 202.564.7873 <j.............Ex! 6 ............ ] L_____________________________________________________ i "The root of all joy is gratefulness." Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00029853-00003