GHG reporting requirements for HGWP and mobile air conditioners

High global warming potential (HGWP) greenhouse gas reporting requirements

Per Minn. Stat. § 216H.11, the MPCA is collecting information about certain HGWP gases and their uses from relevant sources, including:

Automobile manufacturers report to the MPCA the amount of refrigerant that leaks from air conditioners used in passenger cars, trucks and SUVs. This applies to new vehicles sold on or after January 1, 2009. Reporting forms and leakage rate data are available below.
Manufacturers of these chemicals must report the amount of high GWP gases that they sell annually in Minnesota to the MPCA. The report for sales made in the previous year is due by October 1 of the current year. Submit completed forms to hgwp.pca@state.mn.us.
Companies purchasing more than 10,000 metric tons (CO₂-equivalent) of any one high GWP gas annually must report purchases of all high GWP chemicals. The report for purchases made in the previous year is due by October 1 of the current year. Submit completed forms to hgwp.pca@state.mn.us.

For further information about the collection of this information, or to ask questions from an inventory specialist, contact Anne Claflin at 651-757-2277.

Mobile air conditioners reporting requirements

What reporting requirements apply to mobile air conditioners?

Air conditioning systems contain many parts. Coolant chemicals can leak out at connections (fittings) or through the hoses. The Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 requires that automobile manufacturers report the average amount of HFC-134a that leaks from motor vehicle air conditioners.

Scroll down to see lists of air conditioner leakage information for vehicles sold in Minnesota.

What vehicles are included?

This requirement applies to most new passenger cars, pick-up trucks, and SUVs starting with model year 2009. This includes light-duty vehicles [up to 8,500 lb. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)] and medium-duty passenger vehicles (up to 10,000 lb. GVWR). Heavy-duty vehicles (over 10,000 lb. GVWR) are not included in the requirement.

When does this apply?

This requirement applies to new motor vehicles sold in Minnesota on or after January 1, 2009.

Instructions and reporting form for manufacturers

Submit the reporting form summarizing the results of the air conditioner leakage rate calculation to the MPCA at least 90 days prior to the first date the new model will be offered for sale in Minnesota.

NOTE: For vehicles that are manufactured by one company but sold under another company’s nameplate or brand, it is acceptable for the manufacturer to prepare the report for all the vehicles it produces. To ensure that all makes and models are reported and to avoid duplication, manufacturers and purchasers/marketers should agree on who will be responsible for their data prior to a report’s being submitted.

The Excel report form is a workbook with includes two spreadsheet tabs. One tab contains more detailed instructions for completing the report. The other tab is the report form itself. You will need to complete a report for each model or group and save the file. Submit completed forms to MobileAirReport.PCA@state.mn.us.

Mobile air conditioner leakage rate report form (aq-mvp7-02)

For further information, contact Azra Kovacevic, at azra.kovacevic@state.mn.us or 651-757-2505.

Mobile air conditioner leakage rate data

These lists contain air conditioner leakage rate information that was submitted by the car manufacturers. The leakage rates provided are an average for the type of vehicle over the course of a year. The leakage rate is determined by the types of connectors, the compressor, and hoses in the air conditioner assembly. Please note that any individual vehicle may have a different leakage rate – which may be better or worse – due to a variety of possible factors. Those factors may include how the air conditioner system is assembled or road damage.

What will happen next?

In the future, replacements for HFC-134a will likely be made available. Currently, using replacement chemicals in your vehicle may void the warranty. Mobile air conditioner designs may have to be changed to be effective and safe using different refrigerants. Manufacturers are evaluating the potential to change the refrigerant to a chemical called HFC-152 or a system that uses compressed carbon dioxide. More recent research looks at HFO-1234yf, another chemical that has a lower global warming potential than HFC-134a.

Where can I find more information about vehicle emissions?

fueleconomy.gov - U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Energy joint motor vehicle information
California's Mobile Sources Program offers both general information and material specific to California on reducing pollutants and toxics from mobile sources
Drive Clean (California)
MPCA’s motor vehicle information