HB2492 Summary

• Establishes regulations in Chapter 342B, Hawaii Revised Statutes to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are greenhouse gases hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide, by prohibiting sale, lease, or rental of products containing restricted HFCs on a staggered schedule from January 1, 2021 through January 1, 2024.

• Restricts HFCs in specific applications including propellants, foam blowing agents, refrigeration equipment, air conditioning systems, and other uses consistent with federal regulations in 40 CFR Part 82 appendices U and V as of January 3, 2017.

• Allows the Department of Health to modify prohibition dates and create lists of approved substitutes, use conditions, and exemptions for medical uses if alternatives reduce overall risk to human health and the environment.

• Requires the policy board to adopt procurement rules preferring products that do not contain HFCs or contain HFCs with low global warming potential, with governmental bodies prohibited from purchasing non-preferred products unless no cost-effective alternative exists.

• Directs the Hawaii State Energy Office and Department of Health Environmental Management Division to study increasing use of low-global-warming-potential refrigerants and recommend funding for a state program supporting elimination of legacy HFC uses, with a report due by December 1, 2022; effective July 1, 2050.