Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) has been used for decades around the globe to insulate medium and high-voltage transmission and distribution equipment. SF6 also has an extremely high global warming potential of 23,500. Given its reference in the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and its potential material environmental impact – if released into the environment – SF6 is the subject of regulatory policies in the U.S and internationally. In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a regulation for the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases (including SF6) from large emissions. Shortly thereafter, two state environmental agencies (California Air Resources Board and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection) promulgated their own respective SF6 emissions reporting regulations, both of which contained an emission reduction requirement. All three regulations continue in force, though as of July 2020 California is considering a major overhaul to its current requirements. Additionally, the European Union and certain countries in Asia have regulations that impact usage and monitoring of SF6.
California Air Resources Board
CARB is charged with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs and actions to fight climate change.
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Massachussetts Department of Environmental Protection
Mass DEP serves the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by enforcing the laws that protect the air, land and water of its constituents.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The US Environmental Protection Agency mission involves ensuring that American have clean air, land and water.
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International
Other countries are moving to regulate SF6 in a variety of different ways.
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