EPA announced the availability of $15 million in grant for projects by reclaiming and destroying HFCs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of approximately $15 million in grant funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for projects that tackle the climate crisis by reclaiming and destroying hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases. The funding was made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act— the most ambitious climate law in U.S. history— and includes a $1.5 million set aside for federally recognized Tribes. Last year, President Biden signed the U.S. ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to phase down HFCs and help avoid up to 0.5 °C of global warming by 2100.

HFCs are a class of greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning, aerosols, and foam products. Their climate impact can be hundreds to thousands of times stronger than the same amount of carbon dioxide. EPA anticipates making four to nine awards to eligible applicants for projects that would reduce HFC emissions and increase reclaimed HFCs through new and improved technologies and strategies.

“These grants under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will spur far-reaching innovation that aims to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and expand the use of new and existing HFC reclamation and destruction technologies,” said Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “Destroying unwanted HFCs helps prevent climate-damaging emissions, and reclaiming HFCs helps reduce the need for new production. That helps us fight climate change and meet our targets under the HFC phasedown program.”

EPA is soliciting applications nationwide under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The application’s program areas include:

• Pilot projects for new or better technologies to increase reclamation of otherwise useable HFCs;
• Programs or pilot projects for innovative strategies that lower barriers to increasing reclamation; and
• Pilot projects for innovative technologies to destroy unusable and/or unwanted HFCs.
• EPA is seeking projects that will thoughtfully and actively engage with disadvantaged communities, while providing them benefits and mitigating potential negative impacts and risks.

A global HFC phasedown is expected to prevent up to 0.5 °C in global warming by 2100. Under the AIM Act, the Biden-Harris Administration is phasing down HFC production and consumption to reduce emissions by 40% below historic levels starting in 2024, as well as an 85% reduction by 2036. Increasing HFC reclamation for reuse will reduce the need for additional production and support the national phasedown. Last month, EPA announced a proposed rule to better manage and reuse existing HFCs, supporting a growing American industry for HFC reclamation.

The grant funding opportunity is open until February 16, 2024. EPA will hold a one-hour public informational webinar on December 7, 2023.