Jan 2010 Environmental Update

Refrigerants

HFCs

EPA final ruling: Greenhouse gases are dangerous. 

• EPA's endangerment finding covers emissions of six key greenhouse gases:carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.  
• Allows the EPA to finalize the GHG standards proposed earlier this year  

 Coca Cola announced it will stop using HFCs in its new vending machines and coolers by 2015.

• Coke executives said that carbon dioxide is the company's preferred replacement, followed by hydrocarbon refrigeration.

 Buildings  

EUROPE

 EU governments agreed on new regulations that will force all new buildings constructed after 2020 to consume "near-zero-energy".

U.S.

National Energy Research Lab to be greenest office building in the country. Read "In Search of Net Zero"at WSJ.com.  Excellent Interactive graphics. 

State of the Climate
Global Analysis
Annual 2009 

• 2009 fifth warmest on record
• 2000-2009 decade is the warmest ever recorded

 Read full NOAA report