Due to its extreme global warming potential, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) passed a regulation restricting Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas emissions, pursuant to the California Global Warning Solutions Act of 2006. This rule places a ban on the sale, use, and release of SF6 for processes not specifically exempted in Title 17, section 95341 of the California Code of Regulations (17 CCR 95341).
Exemptions to this ban that may apply to UCSF operations include:
The above exemptions are not required to keep records for usage or purchases
Additionally, users and purchasers of SF6 are now required to keep records for 3 years showing the annual quantity of SF6 used and purchased, beginning March 30, 2010. This requirement applies to all SF6 purchases, whether your operation is exempted or not. For research users of SF6 records will be collected by EH&S and an annual report issued to CARB by March 30.
If your research / operation currently uses SF6, review the final regulation at http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sf6nonelec/sf6nonelec.htm or contact UCSF Environmental Programs immediately to determine if you qualify for an exemption.
“Gas-insulated switchgear or GIS” means all electrical power equipment insulated with SF6 gas regardless of location. Gas insulated switchgear or GIS includes switches, stand-alone gas-insulated equipment, and any combination of electrical disconnects, fuses, electrical transmission lines, transformers and/or circuit breakers used to isolate gas insulated electrical equipment.
If you have a GIS, you are subject to the Regulation for Reducing Sulfur Hexafluoride Emissions from Gas Insulated Switchgear sections 95350 to 95359, title 17, California Code of Regulations.
For each calendar year specified below, the maximum annual SF6 emission rate for each GIS owner’s active GIS equipment shall not exceed the following:
Calendar Year
Maximum Allowable SF6 Emission rate
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020, and each calendar year thereafter
10.0%
9.0%
8.0%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
Annual reporting requirements due June 1 to the CA Air Resources Board for non-hermetically sealed insulated switchgear as follows:
If you have a GIS, see the current regulation here: https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sf6elec/finalregulation.pdf and contact UCSF Environmental Programs to register your equipment.