July 10, 2025 Power

Regulations and Emissions Tracking Push Utilities Toward SF₆ Alternatives

Evolving state regulations and ongoing emissions tracking under the greenhouse gas reporting program are prompting utilities to transition away from sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). Used extensively in high-voltage equipment for its reliable insulating properties, SF₆ is now under elevated scrutiny due to its global warming potential, which is 23,500 times that of carbon dioxide, and an atmospheric lifetime exceeding 3,000 years. Despite representing a small share of total greenhouse gas emissions, SF₆ from the electric power sector accounts for the majority of U.S. emissions from fluorinated gases.