In Climate Bid, Obama Expands Steps to Cut Refrigerants

The Obama administration is proposing to extend rules targeting emissions of ozone-depleting chemicals to refrigerants called hydrofluorocarbons.

JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press
Oct 16th, 2015
Mnet 121445 Obamapowerplan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is ordering new steps to reduce refrigerants that contribute to climate change as he works to secure a global climate treaty.

The Obama administration is proposing to extend rules targeting emissions of ozone-depleting chemicals to refrigerants called hydrofluorocarbons.

The White House said Thursday the rules will be finalized next year.

The Environmental Protection Agency also plans to prohibit more uses of hydrofluorocarbons under new deadlines coming in 2016. The Obama administration is pushing to phase out the potent heat-trapping gases globally.

The White House is also announcing nearly $15 million in grants for communities hit hard by the Obama-backed shift away from coal. Almost all of the funds are for programs in Kentucky.

Obama hopes to build momentum on climate change before international talks conclude in December.

More in Chemical Processing
Residents observe the fire consuming the TPC Group plant on Wednesday, Nov. 27, in Port Neches, TX.
Voluntary Evacuation Order Issued in Texas City after Blast
Port Neches issued the voluntary order for its 50,000 residents late Wednesday after elevated levels of the chemical butadiene were detected.
Dec 5th, 2019
Mnet 214202 Oil Barrels Hero Image
Oil Exports on the Rise in Louisiana
The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is becoming a major world source of exported crude oil.
Jun 17th, 2019
FILE - This Monday, May 23, 2016, file photo, shows the Bayer AG corporate logo displayed on a building of the German drug and chemicals company in Berlin. The German pharmaceutical giant has agreed, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, to the U.S. government's demand that it sell about $9 billion in agriculture businesses as condition for acquiring Monsanto Co., a U.S. seed and weed-killer maker. Antitrust regulators at the Justice Department say it's the biggest divestiture ever required for a merger. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
Bayer to Invest $5.6 Billion in New Weed Killing Methods
German chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer says it plans to invest some $5.6 billion over the next decade in developing 'additional methods to combat weeds.'
Jun 17th, 2019
Mnet 214127 Vatican Oil Gas Hero Image
Major Oil Companies Commit to Carbon Pricing at Vatican
Some of the world's major oil producers committed Friday to supporting 'economically meaningful' carbon pricing regimes after a Vatican climate summit and a personal appeal from Pope Francis to avoid 'perpetrating a brutal act of injustice' against the poor and future generations.
Jun 17th, 2019
Mnet 197419 Co2 Flickr
The U.S. Military Emits More CO2 Than Many Nations
This chart shows estimated carbon dioxide emissions in 2017.
Jun 14th, 2019
Mnet 214112 203229 Web
Carbon Dioxide-Eating Microbes Could Produce New Bioplastics, Chemicals
Scientists have found a way to produce environmentally-friendly gasoline, ammonia, biodiesel fuels and biodegradable plastics using carbon dioxide (CO₂)-consuming, light-powered nanobio-hybrid organisms.
Jun 14th, 2019
Mnet 196126 Oil Kunc
Oil, Nuclear Technology Firms Visit New Mexico Governor
A major shale oil producer and developers of advanced nuclear reactor technology have held discussions with New Mexico's governor.
Jun 14th, 2019
Mnet 214094 2000
Middle East Attack Jolts Oil-Import Dependent Asia
The blasts detonated far from the bustling megacities of Asia, but the attack this week on two tankers in the strategic Strait of Hormuz hits at the heart of this region's oil-import-dependent economies.
Jun 14th, 2019
Mnet 214058 Diesel
Booming Exports Depend on Diesel
With trade and tariffs dominating the news, what does that mean for diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment?
Jun 14th, 2019
Mnet 126531 Dow Logo 0
Dow, USGBC Launch Carbon Challenge to Encourage Reductions in Operational Carbon Footprint
Co-initiated by Dow and USGBC, the Carbon Challenge award will recognize buildings that have reduced carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency.
Jun 13th, 2019
Mnet 109558 Tanker
Oil Surges on Mideast Tanker Incident, Stocks Rise
World stocks mostly rose Thursday and energy prices surged after two oil tankers suffered a suspected attack in the Gulf of Oman, raising tensions over a key trade route for crude.
Jun 13th, 2019
Mnet 195189 Exxon Flickr Commons
ExxonMobil, SABIC to Proceed With Gulf Coast Growth Ventures Project
ExxonMobil and SABIC today announced the decision to proceed with the construction of a chemical facility and a 1.8 million metric ton ethane steam cracker in Texas.
Jun 13th, 2019
Mnet 213974 Gas Well Explosion Ap
Safeguards Failed in Fire That Killed 5 at Gas Well
The failure of safety devices designed to prevent blowouts contributed to an explosion and fire that killed five workers last year at a southeastern Oklahoma natural gas well.
Jun 12th, 2019
Mnet 213938 Dakota Access Protesters Ap
Delegation Seeks Settlement of Dakota Access Protest Costs
North Dakota's congressional delegation is calling on President Donald Trump's administration to address the state's year-old request for $38 million to cover the cost of policing protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
Jun 12th, 2019