The Department of Defense (DoD) has made a significant investment in HFCs, a crucial component in various military applications that include air conditioning systems, refrigeration, and fire suppression. The $90 million investment will enable the Defense Logistics Agency to stockpile HFCs, which are essential for supporting military operations worldwide.
According to Brian M. Howard, program manager for the DoD ozone-depleting substances program, the investment is a response to the AIM Act, which regulates the production and consumption levels of HFCs. The AIM Act is designed to reduce the environmental impact of HFCs, which have a high GWP.
The military services and government agencies rely on systems using HFCs to maintain operational readiness and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. The Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA’s) ODS program office will manage the HFC inventory, and the HFC storage facility will be established in phases. The initial phase will utilize a vacant DLA distribution facility in Richmond, Virginia.
The DLA’s ODS program office also manages the ODS reserve, which includes finite inventory of ODS that are no longer produced or imported. The ODS are used in similar applications as HFCs, including air conditioning systems, refrigeration, fire suppression, and precision cleaning. The ODS program office ensures that excess or used ODS are returned and reclaimed to specifications, making them available for issue again.
The storage facilities for both HFCs and ODS are secure and protected by the DLA Police. A dedicated support contractor conducts regular visual and electronic leak detection to ensure the safe handling and storage of these gases.
The investment in HFCs marks a significant step towards ensuring the continued support of military operations while reducing the environmental impact of these substances.