EPA Files Complaint Against California Company for Unlawful Import of HFCs

Summary:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a complaint against USA Wholesale, Inc., a San Jose corporation, for illegally importing 34,480.3 pounds of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through the port of Santa Theresa, NM in 2022. This is the first time the EPA has used its authority under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 to file an administrative complaint for illegal HFC imports. The HFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases, have a global warming potential of 1,430 and are equivalent to 22,365 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The complaint seeks a ruling by the administrative law court that USA Wholesale's importation and failure to submit required reports to EPA constitutes violations of the AIM Act and seeks civil penalties. The EPA has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to enforcing regulations to combat climate change and prevent the illegal importation of HFCs, which undermines the phasedown of these super climate pollutants.