Background on HFCs and the AIM Act
On this page:
- Public Meetings
- What is the AIM Act?
- AIM Act Enforcement
- Sector Fact Sheets
- Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
- Inflation Reduction Act Provisions for AIM Act Implementation
- Best Practices and Considerations for the HFC Reclamation and Destruction Sector
Public Meetings
Find information on upcoming and past public meetings.
What is the AIM Act?
On December 27, 2020, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 was enacted as section 103 in Division S, Innovation for the Environment, of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133 (116th): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 [Including Coronavirus Stimulus & Relief]). The AIM Act authorizes EPA to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by providing new authorities in three main areas: to phase down the production and consumption of listed HFCs, manage these HFCs and their substitutes, and facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions.
AIM Act Enforcement
For more information on AIM enforcement, visit Enforcement of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020.
Sector Fact Sheets
HFCs are used in applications such as air conditioning, refrigeration, fire suppression, solvents, foam blowing agents, and aerosols. HFCs are greenhouse gases with global warming potentials (GWPs) that can be hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). Their use has been rapidly increasing worldwide due to the global phaseout of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and increased demand for refrigeration and air conditioning. In many cases, alternatives are available or under development that either non-fluorinated or are HFC and HFC blends with lower GWPs than the HFC or HFC blends they replace. These documents provide information on uses of HFCs and low-GWP alternatives to high-GWP HFCs.
- Additional information being developed
- Transitioning to Low-GWP Alternatives in Residential and Commercial Air Conditioning and Chillers (pdf) (638.51 KB)
Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international agreement to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs by 80 – 85% by 2047. Its full implementation is expected to avoid up to half a degree Celsius of global warming by the end of the century. HFCs are commonly used alternatives to ODS such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are already controlled under the Montreal Protocol. The United States ratified the Kigali Amendment on October 26, 2022, with strong support from the U.S. environmental and business communities.
Inflation Reduction Act Provisions for AIM Act Implementation
Inflation Reduction Act Provisions for AIM Act Implementation
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the EPA has received an historic amount of funding to leverage our expertise and existing programs, as well as to set up and execute new programs. Implemented by the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, these programs include funding for projects addressing clean energy, transportation, methane emissions, and HFCs.
Inflation Reduction Act funding includes $38.5 million to carry out implementation of and compliance with the AIM Act. Of this funding, $15 million is for competitive grants for reclaim and innovative destruction technologies. On May 28, 2024, EPA announced the selection of five applicants for awards under this grant competition.
Notice of Funding Opportunity
On November 17, 2023, the EPA announced the availability of funds for the HFC Reclaim and Innovative Destruction Grants. The HFC Reclaim and Innovative Destruction Grants provide approximately $15 million in grants to eligible entities to develop projects for HFC reclaim and innovative destruction technologies.
To learn more, visit the HFC Reclaim and Innovative Destruction Grants web page.
Best Practices and Considerations for the HFC Reclamation and Destruction
Reclamation is the reprocessing of recovered HFCs to meet particular specifications, including a purity standard, and verification that the reclaimed HFCs meet that standard using specified methods. HFCs can be destroyed when they cannot be reclaimed, using an EPA approved destruction technology. While HFCs are not considered a local air pollutant or known to harm human health directly, HFCs contribute to climate change, which does impact our health, environment, and economy. Learn more about best practices, regulatory protections, and community benefits on this web area.
