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Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership (VAIP)

An Effective Practice

Description

The Voluntary Aluminum Industry Partnership (VAIP) program was launched in 1995 as a joint effort between EPA and the U.S. primary aluminum industry to reduce perfluorocarbon (PFC) emissions. PFCs are potent greenhouse gases, characterized by strong infrared radiation absorption and relative inertness in the atmosphere. Primary aluminum production is a major source of global PFC emissions. The VAIP promotes the development and adoption of cost-effective PFC emissions reduction opportunities.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the VAIP is to reduce perfluorocarbon emissions from aluminum production in the United States.

Results / Accomplishments

VAIP represents 18 of the nations 19 smelters and 98% of U.S. production capacity. VAIP Partners have substantially reduced PFC emissions over the past decade. In 2004, emissions were 2.18 MMTCE (Million Metric Tons Carbon Equivalent) less compared to Business as Usual and emissions per tonne of aluminum produced (TCE/tonne) were 77% less than in 1990. This reduction is equivalent to eliminating emissions from over 1.5 million cars (assuming an average of 11,450 lbs CO2/car/year) in 2004 alone. Plus the environment receives this benefit annually for the over 10,000 year atmospheric lifetime of PFCs.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Primary Contact
Sally Rand
US EPA Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership
MC 6207J
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 343-9739
rand.sally@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/highgwp/aluminum-pfc/index.html
Topics
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Environmental Health / Air
Environmental Health / Weather & Climate
Organization(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Date of publication
2006
Date of implementation
1995
Location
USA
Additional Audience
Aluminum Manufacturers

Related Promising Practices

  1. Portland's Local Action Plan to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  2. PFC Emission Reduction Partnerships
  3. American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment
  4. Cool School Challenge
  5. Georgia Retrofit Program
  6. Green Buildings, Local Law 86

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An Effective Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success and/or promise in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures of improvement in outcome of interest (i.e. increase in voter registration, not just delivery of voter registration drive) and/ or the outcome measure is increased or improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant.