A San Diego man was arrested Monday for smuggling greenhouse gasses into the United States from Mexico.
Federal prosecutors say this is the first criminal case of its kind in the country.
The indictment alleges Michael Hart, 58, imported hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – a chemical compound commonly used for refrigeration, air-conditioning and aerosols – from Mexico and then sold them for a profit, which violates regulations created in 2020 ostensibly intended to “slow climate change.”
“This is the first prosecution in the United States to include charges related to the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 (AIM Act),” said a press release from the Southern District of California. “The AIM Act prohibits the importation of HFCs, commonly used as refrigerants, without allowances issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”
“This office is at the forefront of environmental prosecutions, and today is a significant milestone for our country,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “This is the first time the Department of Justice is prosecuting someone for illegally importing greenhouse gases, and it will not be the last.”
“We are using every means possible to protect our planet from the harm caused by toxic pollutants, including bringing criminal charges.”
“Hart faces 13 separate charges, including conspiracy, importation contrary to law, multiple counts of selling imported merchandise contrary to law and criminal forfeiture,” reports CBS. “He could face decades in prison if convicted on any one of the charges related to illegal importation”
Read the entire press release HERE.
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