The EPA has proposed a new rule to revise the allowance system that controls the consumption and production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) within the United States.

Due to a recent court decision to eliminate a portion of the EPA's rule entitled "Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Adjustments to the Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import, and Export; Final Rule," the EPA believes the section of the rule that has been vacated is the one that developed company-by-company baselines and calendar-year allowances for HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b.

As a result of the temporary final rule, which was effective as of Aug. 5, 2011 and also allocated allowances for 2011, the EPA's proposed new rule will hopefully alleviate the regulatory ban on the  consumption and production of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b.

Through the rule, the EPA is focused on continuing to develop company-by-company HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b baselines while also distributing consumption and production allowances for 2012, 2013, and 2014.

The EPA must receive all written comments regarding this proposed rule by Feb. 3, 2012.

For more information, please click here.