Updated 09.20.2024
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Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Regulations

Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) is a synthetic compound that is the most potent greenhouse gas known to date, and it has an atmospheric lifetime of 3,200 years — meaning even a relatively small amount of SF6 can have a significant and lasting impact on climate change. SF6 emissions typically occur due to leaks that may develop at any stage of the life cycle for the equipment it is contained in, and approximately 75% of all SF6 emissions in the U.S. comes from electricity transmission and distribution; other sources include the manufacturing of electronics and semiconductors and the production of magnesium. SF6 emissions can be managed through leak detection and repair, equipment upgrades and replacement, proper decommissioning of equipment at the end of life, and recycling of the gas. Additionally, new technologies can be used as alternatives to traditional SF6 electrical breakers.

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Glossary of Terms

States with Policy Enacted

In Progress

Partially Enacted

See States List

Key Resources

Glossary of Terms

Industrial Process Emissions Policies

An explainer that provides an overview of industrial process emissions policies, when to use each type of policy, and case studies, all related to reducing the nine major types of industrial emissions, including from refrigerant use, cement clinker production, soils, and methane from natural gas systems, landfills, coal mines, and wastewater treatment.
2024
Source:

SF6 Mitigation Opportunities

A web page that provides information on strategies and technologies aimed at reducing SF6 emissions, including alternatives to SF6, a cost-benefit calculator for SF6 alternatives, and best practices for the electric power industry.
2023
Source:

Model States

Glossary of Terms

California

From 2011-2020, the annual maximum rate of SF6 emissions was reduced by 1 percent each year. Since 2020, the maximum SF6 emissions rate cannot exceed 1 percent for any owners of SF6-insulated switchgear.

Starting in 2025, utilities are restricted from purchasing SF6 equipment after certain dates, require new emissions limits, set reporting requirements, and maintain gas-insulated equipment inventories.

2022
Establishing Policies

Colorado

The state requires a 20% reduction from 2015 levels by 2030 in industrial and manufacturing emissions, including SF6 emissions.

2021
Establishing Policies

Massachusetts

The state sets a maximum annual SF6 leak rate of 1%, and requires owners to maintain their equipment in accordance with industry standards to reduce leakage of SF6.

2017
Establishing Policies

Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Regulations By State

Glossary of Terms
Filters
Status State Region Components YR Enacted
Not Enacted
Alabama

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Alaska

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 West
Not Enacted
Arizona

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southwest
Not Enacted
Arkansas

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Enacted
California

From 2011-2020, the annual maximum rate of SF6 emissions was reduced by 1 percent each year. Since 2020, the maximum SF6 emissions rate cannot exceed 1 percent for any owners of SF6-insulated switchgear.

Starting in 2025, utilities are restricted from purchasing SF6 equipment after certain dates, require new emissions limits, set reporting requirements, and maintain gas-insulated equipment inventories.

Establishing Policies
West 2022
Enacted
Colorado

The state requires a 20% reduction from 2015 levels by 2030 in industrial and manufacturing emissions, including SF6 emissions.

Establishing Policies
West 2021
Not Enacted
Connecticut

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
Delaware

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Florida

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Georgia

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Hawai‘i

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 West
Not Enacted
Idaho

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 West
Not Enacted
Illinois

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Indiana

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Iowa

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Kansas

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Kentucky

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Louisiana

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Maine

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
Maryland

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Enacted
Massachusetts

The state sets a maximum annual SF6 leak rate of 1%, and requires owners to maintain their equipment in accordance with industry standards to reduce leakage of SF6.

Establishing Policies
Northeast 2017
Not Enacted
Michigan

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Minnesota

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Mississippi

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Missouri

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Montana

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 West
Not Enacted
Nebraska

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Nevada

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 West
Not Enacted
New Hampshire

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
New Jersey

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
New Mexico

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southwest
Not Enacted
New York

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
North Carolina

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
North Dakota

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Ohio

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Oklahoma

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southwest
Enacted
Oregon

All investor-owned utilities and electricity service suppliers must report SF6 emissions in Oregon.

Establishing Policies
West 2020
Not Enacted
Pennsylvania

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
Rhode Island

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
South Carolina

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
South Dakota

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Tennessee

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Texas

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southwest
Not Enacted
Utah

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 West
Not Enacted
Vermont

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Northeast
Not Enacted
Virginia

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Enacted
Washington

Electric power entities that import or deliver electricity equivalent to or greater than 10,000 metric tons of CO2e must report their emissions

Establishing Policies
West 2010
Not Enacted
West Virginia

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Southeast
Not Enacted
Wisconsin

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 Midwest
Not Enacted
Wyoming

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.

 West

The State Climate Policy Dashboard tracks only passed policies and does not include bills currently proposed in legislative sessions. The website is intended to illustrate the current status of policies for each state, as well as key resources and model states for each policy.

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