WASHINGTON — On Dec. 9, 2022, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan signed the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act Technology Transitions Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This rulemaking proposes to restrict the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in specific sectors or subsectors responding to the petitions filed by Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and other stakeholders granted last year.

The EPA proposed to limit the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants in new comfort cooling equipment manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2025, to 700 GWP. An exception for variable refrigerant flow (VRF) equipment exists, as a proposed deadline exists for equipment manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2026, with the same GWP limit.

The EPA proposed to limit the GWP of refrigerants used in new refrigeration equipment manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2025, to levels as requested in AHRI petitions. An exception exists for automatic commercial ice machines (ACIM), with a proposed limit of 150 GWP on the same date. The regulation must be finalized by October 2023.

WILMINGTON, Del. — The Chemours Co. and Honeywell launched a pilot program to enable qualified companies to recycle and reclaim R-448A, also known as Honeywell Solstice® N40, and R-449A, also known as Opteon™ XP40, patented hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant blends in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

In recent years, global regulatory drivers and the increasing need for a circular economy have spurred interest in activities, such as recycling and reclamation of refrigerants. Chemours and Honeywell are uniquely positioned to support these activities and license qualified companies to recycle and reclaim patented fluorochemical refrigerants. The old refrigerant is cleaned, returned to specification, and used for service of refrigeration systems that need it. To ensure the integrity of these operations and the safety and quality of the resulting R-448A and R-449A, important criteria have been established for potential program participants, including audit requirements and strict record-keeping.

“At Chemours, we strive to create a better world through the power of our chemistry,” said Alisha Bellezza, president of thermal and specialized solutions at Chemours. “This program demonstrates that commitment by providing the market with peace of mind that reclaimed and recycled HFO refrigerants are safe, legal, and meet stringent industry standards. These patented products, R-448A and R-449A, were invented and developed to bring efficient, low-global-warming-potential (GWP) solutions to the market, and this program ensures qualified recyclers and reclaimers utilize product that originated from an authorized source to be legally available for sale.”

SEATTLE — McKinstry named Matt Allen chief client officer, where he will work alongside the company’s partners and project teams to foster innovation and project excellence.

“Matt’s operational acumen and experience working across the organization on some of our most complex projects have uniquely positioned him for this role,” said Dean Allen, CEO, McKinstry. “We look forward to his impact as he focuses his expertise to elevate client service and success.”

Allen started his McKinstry career as an intern, working in finance, and later moved into roles as a project manager and director of construction technology. He has most recently served as project executive for Spokane developments that include the Health Partnership Building, McKinstry Spokane manufacturing facility, and tenant improvement projects on the South Landing campus. Allen was appointed to the McKinstry board of directors earlier this year and provides strategic guidance as a member of its governance committee.

“I’m honored to focus my attention on the clients at the heart of our business,” said Allen. “This role will allow our clients to have an unparalleled experience with our solutions and support throughout the project life cycle.”

SAN FRANCISCO — John Moran III, senior principal and head of the vertical transportation practice at Syska Hennessy Group, is retiring from the firm after a 35-year tenure.

Under Moran’s leadership, the vertical transportation practice grew significantly, expanding from a few specialists in the New York office to professionals in multiple offices across the U.S. He also served as the principal in charge of many prominent projects, including Salt Lake City International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, Hamad International Airport in Qatar, the Long Beach Civic Center and Port of Long Beach Headquarters, the Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, the Hyundai Udong I’Park Complex in South Korea, and The Natural History Museum at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

“John’s creative designs have helped innumerable clients provide superior, safe, and cost-effective elevator service,” said Gary Brennen, co-president of Syska Hennessy. “He also pioneered technological advances to maximize the passenger experience. Our vertical transport practice has garnered an international reputation under his oversight.”

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service called on the public to provide feedback on how to apply the $270 million in tax incentive funding received from the Inflation Reduction Act. The 179D Commercial Buildings Energy-Efficiency Tax Deduction incentivizes building owners and designers to opt for building designs at least 25% more energy efficient than a reference building from ASHRAE Standard 90.1. Presently, the tax deduction relies on ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 because Treasury has not affirmed the more recent version, ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019.

ASHRAE’s response to the treasury department declared that to meaningfully contribute to meeting the administration’s goal of achieving a 50%-52% reduction from 2005 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2030, and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, the department of the treasury should align with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and affirm the most recent version of the standard, ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019, as the reference building standard. If affirmed, ASHRAE 90.1-2019 would become the reference building standard four years from the date of affirmation.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Superior Boiler announced that Todd Moore has been named regional sales executive for its parent company, Superior Holding. In his new role, Moore will have business development and sales management oversight for geographic areas in the upper Midwest states.

His responsibilities encompass developing new business, supporting customers and end users, and assisting Superior Boiler reps for all Superior Boiler product lines in Minnesota; North and South Dakota; and parts of Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

Moore has extensive and broad industrial boiler industry experience and is well respected in the industry. He has vast experience in both watertube and firetube boilers and associated burners and controls for complex projects, including Veterans Administration Medical Center hospital projects.

“I am extremely excited to have Todd come on board our growing team and move into this important role within our company,” said Matt Steele, vice president of sales and marketing, Superior Boiler. “Todd has tremendous experience in technical sales within the boiler industry. One of his key attributes has always been providing exceptional support to customers. I’m confident his background in boilers, burners, and controls, coupled with outstanding customer service, will serve him well in this new role.

“We’re also excited about how this new position fits into our overall strategy of delivering the best customer experience possible while simultaneously driving additional business opportunities,” concluded Steele.