Costco To Pay $335,000 in Clean Air Act Settlement
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Wholesaler Costco is set to pay $335,000 in a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice, officials announced Wednesday.
In the agreement, the retailer says it will cut emissions of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gas chemicals from its refrigeration equipment at more than half of its nationwide stores.
The costs come as part of penalties for violations of the federal Clean Air Act. In addition to the payment, Costco will improve refrigerant management at more than 200 stores at an estimated cost of $2 million over the next three years.
Between 2004 and 2007, officials allege that the company did not repair leaks of R-22, a refrigerant and “powerful ozone-depleting substance.” Costco also failed to keep records of services for related equipment.
“Cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions is a national priority for EPA, and this settlement will lead to significant reductions of an ozone-depleting gas that is 1,700 times more potent than carbon dioxide,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
“Fixing leaks of refrigerants, improving compliance and reducing emissions will make a real difference in protecting us from the dangers of ozone depletion, while reducing the impact on climate change,” the agency claimed.
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