Voluntary Programs
A set of voluntary partnerships between EPA and industry is substantially
reducing U.S. emissions of high global warming potential (high GWP)
gases. These gases—including perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)—are released
as byproducts of industrial operations and are extremely potent
greenhouse gases with very long atmospheric lifetimes. The high
GWP partnership programs involve several industries, including HCFC-22
producers, primary aluminum smelters, semiconductor manufacturers,
electric power companies, and magnesium smelters and die-casters.
These industries are reducing greenhouse gas emissions by developing
and implementing cost-effective improvements to their industrial
processes.
To date, these voluntary programs have achieved significant emission
reductions and industry partners are expected to
maintain emissions below 1990 levels beyond the
year 2010. This is an impressive
achievement given the potential for sizable expansion
in many of these industries that would ordinarily
be accompanied by higher emission levels.
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