By the year 2020, the R-22 refrigerant used by 120 ice arenas across the state will no longer be manufactured or imported into the country, meaning that some ice rinks will have to purchase a new refrigeration system

Klobuchar is urging the EPA to work with local ice arenas to ensure they have the tools they need to make a smooth transition to the new systems so they can continue to serve the community while protecting the environment

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined the Minnesota Wild and youth hockey players to discuss her efforts to preserve local ice rinks across Minnesota. By the year 2020, the R-22 refrigerant used by 120 ice arenas across the state will no longer be manufactured or imported into the country, meaning that some ice rinks will have to purchase a new refrigeration system. Klobuchar is urging the EPA to work with local ice arenas to ensure they have the tools they need to make a smooth transition to the new systems so they can continue to serve the community while protecting the environment.

“Youth hockey is cherished in Minnesota and is permanently woven into our state’s culture and history,” said Klobuchar. “I am urging the EPA to work closely with ice arena owners and industry partners to help ease the transition so these facilities can continue to support youth hockey and keep this tradition alive.”

There are 120 ice rinks in Minnesota that rely on older refrigeration systems that use a chemical called R-22.  Given the environmental concerns with R-22, the U.S. and other countries around the world put together an agreement called the Montreal Protocol that would phase out the production of R-22 and other similar chemicals by the year 2020.  That means ice rinks will have to transition to new refrigerant systems in the coming years, which can be expensive.

Klobuchar is urging the EPA to work closely with ice arena owners and industry partners to help ensure ice rinks have the tools they need to make the transition. This includes the EPA outlining a clear process for phasing out production and ensuring an adequate supply of existing R-22 remains available so ice rinks don’t encounter artificially high prices.  Klobuchar is also asking the EPA to work with ice rink owners to prevent the loss of R-22 in existing systems to reduce the need to buy expensive replacement refrigerant.   

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