Posted on 04/15/2014 6:23:23 AM PDT by TurboZamboni
The clock is ticking for Minnesota's indoor ice rinks.
By 2020, the refrigerant chemical now used at half the state's 240 arenas to make ice no longer will be manufactured or imported into the U.S. as part of a global effort aimed at ridding the world of greenhouse gases linked to depletion of the ozone layer.
The phaseout of the odorless gas R-22 is expected to be costly for arenas -- most of which are publicly owned -- because of an anticipated rise in its cost. After the deadline, arenas still will be able to use the refrigerant gas for existing cooling systems, but the supply will be limited to what is left over and reclaimed and recycled.
To what extent cities will be affected financially will depend on the R-22 market after the deadline, as well as the age of their ice-making equipment and if they plan to upgrade it, said Craig Flor, president of the Minnesota Ice Arena Manager's Association.
"This isn't impending doom for us," Flor said. "But there is a lot of concern because the big unknown is cost and funding."
Cities with decades-old cooling systems could swap them out with ones that use an environmentally friendly chemical, but at a cost that could push $2 million.
Some, such as Hastings and West St. Paul, say they plan to roll the dice and budget for the cost of leaks that could spring up from time to time until there is money to upgrade.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
Ammonia was in use as a refrigerant for decades before the invention of chloroflourocarbons.....................
So what we are saying is that fun at the rink....just doubled in price, and likely will double again within three years?
Will DFL types make the connection between being reduced to roller hockey and their suicidal voting patterns?
Doubtful...
Almost all of it based on unproven junk science.
It’s also a problem for homeowners with AC and heat pumps that use R-22 too. And they don’t have a crack (and I do mean crack) Democrat Senator like Amy Klobuchar helping them.
Wait. Did MN vote for the one or not?
Of course they are already designed to handle flammable materials so it is no big challenge for them.
I’ve still got a nice stash of R-11 that they banned in 96 for my old cars AC systems.
Obviously the commercial folks are gonna have to spend big bucks to convert.
It's the EPA that needs to be banned.
Morons.
What’s gonna happen when all chlorflourocarbons, R-12, R-22 etc., have been banned for decades and the ‘Ozone Hole’ is still there?.......................
EPA- banning everything everywhere.
Junk science for a junk religion.
This will reduce the number of rinks in the country resulting in even more travel to and from rinks. Which is good for the environment? Liberalism is a mental disorder.
It will still be blamed on Bush. And racism. Don’t forget racism!
Banning R-22 may be OK in Mn where you can just open the windows to freeze your Rink. Not so good in warmer climates.
It is my contention that the ‘Ozone Hole’ has always been there, since the beginning. Just because some geek ‘discovered’ it doesn’t mean there is a problem.
It’s like someone discovering the Grand Canyon and suddenly we have to damn up the Colorado river because it’s getting bigger.......................
What about butane? I had a lighter explode in my pocket once and the butane froze my thigh.......................
Ammonia is still used as an industrial refrigerant, smelly stuff and quite dangerous when there is a spill.
Ammonia has been used since 1876 as a refrigerant and it’s cheaper, more efficient, doesn’t harm the Ozone hole and doesn’t contribute to globull warming..................
http://www.goodway.com/hvac-blog/2009/08/ammonia-as-a-refrigerant-pros-and-cons/
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