News Briefs: (1) Refrigerator Manufacturers Join EPA Program to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions; (2) Michigan Plating Shop Supervisor Sent to Prison For Abandoning Chemicals
*News Briefs *If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer. For Release: (Washington, D.C. -- Thursday, January 12, 2006) (1) Refrigerator Manufacturers Join EPA Program to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2) Michigan Plating Shop Supervisor Sent to Prison For Abandoning Chemicals *(1) Refrigerator Manufacturers Join EPA Program to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions *Contact: John Millett, 202-564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov EPA and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) have launched a new, voluntarily program to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) emissions from the coolant and insulation used in making new refrigerators and freezers. Once implemented, the program will significantly reduce HFC emissions in the manufacturing of 12 million refrigerator-freezers in the United States and more than 60 million worldwide each year. HFCs are used in refrigerators and freezers in two ways - as the "working fluid" refrigerant and as a "blowing agent" for the insulation foam within the cabinet walls. HFCs have become widely used as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting chemicals that have been phased out. While HFCs do not harm the stratospheric ozone layer, when released to the atmosphere, they are potent greenhouse gases -- up to 1,300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The new program recommends specific strategies for reducing emissions during all stages of production of household refrigerators and freezers including delivery, storage, and transfer of refrigerants and blowing agents, as well as factory piping, blending operations, calibration of foam blowing equipment, foam injection and refrigerant system charging, testing, and refrigerant recovery. Due to the increasing cost of refrigerants and blowing agents, there is a strong incentive for manufacturers to minimize emissions and waste. EPA is working collaboratively with many industries to quantify emissions and to promote better and more advanced technologies in key sectors, including refrigeration. This agreement is part of a series of similar, sector-specific initiatives on HFCs that EPA began with 22 companies in the fire protection industry in 2004. For more information on the new initiative, visit: http://www.epa.gov/ozone [ http://www.epa.gov/ozone ] *Enforcement Wrap-Up* *(2) Michigan** Plating Shop Supervisor Sent to Prison For Abandoning Chemicals *Contact: Dave Ryan, 202-564-4355 / ryan.dave@epa.gov* *James A. Vaandering of Muskegon, Mich., was sentenced on Dec. 19 by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan to serve13 months in prison, pay a $1,000 dollar fines, pay EPA restitution of $151,000 for a Superfund cleanup, perform 300 hours of community service and serve three years of supervised release once he completes his prison term. The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to abandoning hazardous chemicals at the site of the former Sealmore Corporation electroplating facility which is located in Muskegon, Mich. Vaandering was a supervisor at the facility. According to the charges filed in the case, the Sealmore Corporation facility was condemned in late 2000. The facility contained a number of chemicals and liquids in vats used in electroplating, including acid solutions containing hexavalent chromium and hydrofluoric acid. Hexavalent chromium and hydrofluoric acid are chemicals that can cause serious health problems if individuals are improperly exposed to them. The case was investigated jointly by the Detroit Office of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Criminal Investigations. It was prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of Michigan. R010 [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_16&format=Web&email_type=bulletin ] [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_17&format=Web&email_type=bulletin ] You can update or cancel your subscription at any time [ https://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. You need only your e-mail address (and your password if you have selected one). This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact help@govdelivery.com [ mailto:help@govdelivery.com ] for assistance. Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20460 202-564-4355