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Last week, the California Air Resources Board adopted a measure designed to achieve a 70% reduction in sulfur hexaflouride emissions by the year 2020.
Sulfur hexaflouride, also known as SF6, is the most potent greenhouse gas in known existence. It is used almost exclusively as a gaseous insulator and current interrupter in electrical transmission and distribution equipment, so there isn't much of it to release into the atmosphere, but just one pound of SF6 has the same global warming impact as 11 tons of carbon dioxide.
In order to achieve the reduction, California's electrical utilities will repair leaks in their equipment, increase recycling of the gas, and, in some cases, replace aging machinery. To cover the costs of those measures, Californians will likely see a 1% increase in their electricity bills.
Sulfur hexaflouride, also known as SF6, is the most potent greenhouse gas in known existence. It is used almost exclusively as a gaseous insulator and current interrupter in electrical transmission and distribution equipment, so there isn't much of it to release into the atmosphere, but just one pound of SF6 has the same global warming impact as 11 tons of carbon dioxide.
In order to achieve the reduction, California's electrical utilities will repair leaks in their equipment, increase recycling of the gas, and, in some cases, replace aging machinery. To cover the costs of those measures, Californians will likely see a 1% increase in their electricity bills.
