The Biden administration has lauded the recent arrest of a California man for allegedly smuggling illicit air coolants into the United States, marking a significant milestone in the enforcement of climate change initiatives. The individual, a resident of San Diego named Michael Hart, stands accused of smuggling hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a potent greenhouse gas, in violation of a law prohibiting the importation of this substance.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasized the detrimental impact of illegal HFC smuggling on global efforts to combat climate change. David Uhlmann, the assistant administrator for enforcement at the EPA, underscored the importance of holding accountable those who engage in activities that exacerbate climate change.
Hart, aged 58, was formally charged under a 2020 law that targets the reduction of HFC usage to mitigate global warming. The federal indictment alleges that he procured refrigerants in Mexico and clandestinely transported them into the U.S. by concealing the contraband under a tarp and tools in his vehicle. Subsequently, Hart purportedly advertised the smuggled refrigerants for sale on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
Furthermore, the indictment accuses Hart of importing HCFC-22, an ozone-depleting substance subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act. The EPA has committed to enforcing a rule mandating a 40% reduction in HFCs as part of a broader international effort to combat climate change. This regulation complements the 2020 law that prohibits the import of HFCs without EPA-issued allowances.
The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020, which mandates an 85% reduction in the production and use of harmful chemicals by 2036, aligns with a global agreement from 2016 that restricts the use of HFCs. Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division affirmed the government's dedication to upholding the AIM Act and other legislation aimed at preventing environmental harm.
