In today's video I Want to talk about how the EPA is cracking down on some of these companies that are still importing refrigerants that they're not supposed to be importing anymore? We've had these refrigerants that are harmful to the environment. They phase them out. A lot of Manufacturers have stopped making these products that contain these refrigerants and to this day there are still companies smuggling and importing these products into our country and a lot of folks don't even realize it. I Found an article where the EPA recently cracked down on some of these companies that are importing these refrigerants three companies that were importing Hfcs who failed to report their imported quantities and violation for the Clean Air Ax greenhouse gas reporting program The Agency's Landmark settlements with importers included the Arts and chemical America LLC receiving a penalty of 247 thousand dollars harp USA receiving a 275 thousand dollar penalty and eye gas companies receiving a three hundred eighty two thousand dollar penalty.

The EPA is actively pursuing similar actions against other importers who failed to report their Hfc shipment. What's crazy is I've actually seen websites where you can try to purchase these refrigerants that have been banned and you can try to purchase it and have it shipped into the country and ship to your home. I'm sure that might play a role in all of this as well if they find out that somebody's doing that, especially in large quantities, I Would caution you if you were to find a website that allowed you to do that is you could probably get in trouble as well. It's not just the Importer that can get in trouble, it's someone that's purchasing these products with the intention of continuing to use them when the refrigerants have been banned.

This is different than you know folks that have this refrigerant. They've had it for years. It's been sitting in their garage and you know they still have a system that they're used using it for. That's not what we're talking about we're talking about the EPA has said you can't have these refrigerants shipped into our country anymore and they've been phased out and we still have folks that are continuing to bring it in.

I Would also caution you against the purchase on some of these questionable websites because you don't really know what you're buying. It might say what you think it is on the outside of the can, but shoot, they can put just about anything in there and then spray paint the right stuff on there. You think you're getting this refrigerant that is, you know, worth its weight in gold these days, but in reality they've put something else in there and that can also pose safety issues and so on. The EPA recently issued notices of violation to alleged violators who imported regulated substances without required allowances, marking the first issued under the Aim Act.

As part of the AMAC, the EPA created the Hfc allocation methodology that granted allowances to companies that produced and or imported Hfcs in 2020. I'm going to put a link to this particular article down in the description. definitely check that out. but based on the three highest non-consecutive years of production or import between 2011 and 2019, in order to legally import, Hfcs, companies must use these allowances, which the EPA considers to be critical in ensuring the success of the Hfc phase.

Downs The agency notes that the illegal imports not only undermine the phase down program, but also disadvantaged companies that comply with the regulations. That's a good point. You know the companies that are doing everything correctly. This does put them at a disadvantage, but again, I'll just say how do you really know that you're buying what you think you're buying? It's like these people that think they're buying like some sort of illegal drugs, but in reality it's just sugar in a sandwich baggie right now.

I Don't know anything about all of that. You know? Maybe people could look at that and know that it's sugar and not what it's supposed to be. But in contrast, when you're buying a can of refrigerant, how do you really know that you're buying what you think you're buying? Maybe they repainted a can that had some other refrigerant in it. Three other companies that were issued these Novs were accused of importing regulated substances without the required allowances include HVAC Services and Mission Texas and they were accused of importing R404a, r410a and r407c from Mexico another company is all thatch.

I'm probably not pronouncing that correctly, but all Dash Associates and Catano Puerto Rico for importing 404 410 from China and open Mountain Energy in Lehigh Utah for importing approximately 20 000 kilograms of Hfc 245 Fa from China So I don't know how they're getting this stuff imported, especially in large amounts, but the EPA is wise to it it looks like and they're going to be cracking talking down on these folks. I mean these are some pretty hefty fines and I bet if people continue to do this, you might see more folks that are made an example of stopping illegal Hfc Imports is a top priority of a Federal Interagency task Force that includes the EPA and the U.S Customs and Border Protection In the fiscal year of 2022, the task force prevented illegal Hfc Imports equal to more than 889 000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which equates to CO2 release from powering 173 000 homes with electricity for a year. So again, I'll put a note to this story down in the description, but I'll also put a link where you can actually report alleged violators and you'll be able to click this link and fill out a form and let them know if something's going on that you know is not on the up and up here. So I think it's a shame, especially when these folks do know that these things are harmful to the environment.

I Know there's guys out there that are argue that they'll say well, you know I don't think it is harmful to the environment I'm not going to comment on that I think that's a whole nother topic I'm not trying to get into any political debates here, but I think it's great that they're you know, going after these guys especially is someone in this trade that tries to do everything the correct way. So let me know your thoughts. Comment down below. I'd love to hear them.

It'll be interesting to see more folks that get hit with this. Maybe somebody might see this or see the article and say I was doing everything incorrectly and now I'm gonna stop because I don't want to get caught. Let me know your thoughts down below. Thanks for watching.

Please hit that subscribe button. We'll see you next time.