World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Uncoordinated rules could devastate industry

Viktor-AndersonUSA: A retail refrigeration equipment manufacturer has told the US government that the failure of the DOE and EPA to coordinate rulemakings could devastate the industry.

In testimony before the House Small Business Committee today, Viktor Anderson, chief engineer at Michigan-based retail refrigeration equipment manufacturer Structural Concepts, said that, left unchecked, the inability or unwillingness of the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to coordinate rulemakings and coalesce around energy efficiency and environmental goals will “devastate” his industry.

Anderson noted that with DOE rulemakings setting new energy efficiency levels for commercial refrigeration equipment, and EPA rulemakings on allowable refrigerants being issued irrespective of one another, small businesses such as his have to spend inordinate amounts of money and time to comply with a seemingly endless series of rulemakings — to the point where “we could potentially be redesigning our products every two to three years for more than 12 years in a row.”

Anderson also said that in issuing its final rule setting energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment, which goes into effect in 2017, DOE did not abide by the provisions of Executive Order 13563, which requires agencies to “tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society.” A concurrently issued memorandum requires agencies to comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which requires agencies to examine the impacts of regulations on small businesses and seriously consider how to reduce regulatory burdens…for small businesses.

In fact, Anderson noted that DOE’s own analysis of the commercial refrigeration rule found that “the average small manufacturer is expected to face capital conversion costs that are nearly five times typical annual capital expenditures.”

Anderson pleaded with the Committee to conduct appropriate oversight on DOE and EPA, stating that “with its never-ending wave of new rules and ever-more-stringent standards, the administration is threatening our ability to do business, provide jobs, and provide critical products to American consumers.”

Related stories

DOE rejects AHRI standards challenge – September 28, 2014
USA: The Department of Energy is to reject a petition from the AHRI for a reconsideration of the new energy conservation standards for commercial walk-in coolers and freezers. Read more…

DOE faces court over impossible standards – May 30, 2014
USA: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute claims that the Department of Energy’s new energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment may be impossible to meet. Read more…

AHRI challenges walk-in cooler standards – August 4, 2014
USA: The US Department of Energy’s has again come under fire from the AHRI, with the industry body filing a court petition for a review of the DOE standards for commercial walk-in coolers and freezers. Read more…

Fridge manufacturers challenge standards – June 25, 2014
USA: A manufacturers’ association is the latest group to challenge the US government’s new commercial refrigeration energy efficiency rules. Read more…

US must update refrigeration efficiency standards – August 12, 2013
USA: In a move that it is said will save an estimated $156m per month, a coalition of US States has forced the US Department of Energy to commit to updating energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, metal halide lamps, electric motors and commercial refrigeration equipment. Read more…

US could ban R404A from 2016 July 11, 2014
USA: A number of common HFC refrigerants including R404A and R134a could be banned in certain uses from as early as January 1, 2016, under new proposals put forward by the US EPA. Read more…

Refrigerant ban “a threat to industry” – August 15, 2014
USA: Foodservice equipment manufacturers have been the first to react to the US EPA’s proposal to phase-out high GWP refrigerants by 2016, calling it “unrealistic, if not impossible”. Read more…

Emerson prepares to address EPA bans – August 15, 2014
USA: Compressor manufacturer Emerson Climate Technologies has sympathised with the retail refrigeration industry over US EPA proposals to ban a number of commonly-used refrigerants by 2016. Read more…

Latest News

28th March 2024

Copeland releases 50hp scroll in Asia

CHINA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland is to launch a 50hp scroll for heat pump OEMs in Asia.
27th March 2024

Daikin redesigns Perfera R32 air conditioner

BELGIUM: Daikin Europe has announced a next generation All Seasons Perfera R32 air conditioner with redesigned indoor and outdoor units, making them easy to install and use.
27th March 2024

Press fittings go large

UK: Conex Bänninger has expanded its >B< MaxiPro range of press fittings with the addition of a 1⅝in fitting.
27th March 2024

Distilling the zero carbon benefits of heat pumps

IRELAND: An Irish distiller is now producing carbon neutral whiskeys following the installation of high temperature heat pumps from Finnish manufacturer Oilon.
27th March 2024

Daikin acquires Danish distributor

DENMARK: Daikin has acquired its Danish HVAC distributor BKF-Klima A/S from Swedish refrigeration and air conditioning wholesaler Beijer Ref.
26th March 2024

Low carbon specialist moves to new premises

UK: Strong growth has prompted Hull-based BREng, the building services company specialising in low-carbon air conditioning and heat pump projects, to move to new offices in the city centre.