Hart's actions are seen as undermining international efforts to combat climate change.
A Californian, Michael Hart, has been arrested and charged in what is considered the first trial for smuggling potent greenhouse gases from Mexico to the United States. cnn reported.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California revealed that Hart, 58, of San Diego, pleaded not guilty Monday at a hearing in federal court.
Hart is accused of smuggling hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration, and subsequently selling them for profit.
The indictment alleges that he acquired the HFCs in Mexico and transported them across the border in his truck, hiding them under a tarp and tools. These gases were then allegedly sold for profit on various platforms, including Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Kim of the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division emphasized the illegality of importing certain refrigerants into the United States due to their substantial contribution to climate change. Hart's actions, as outlined in the charges, are considered to undermine international efforts to combat climate change.
HFCs, with applications in building insulation, fire suppression systems and aerosols, are prohibited from being imported into the United States without approval from the Environmental Protection Agency. Despite having a short life in the atmosphere, these gases are very powerful and some have thousands of times the warming potential of carbon dioxide in the short term.
David M. Uhlmann, deputy administrator of EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, condemned illegal smuggling of hydrofluorocarbons and emphasized its adverse impact on global efforts to address climate change. Hart is also accused of importing HCFC 22, an ozone-depleting substance that has been phased out in the United States since 2020.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath described the case as an important milestone, as it marks the first instance in which the Justice Department has prosecuted an individual for illegally importing greenhouse gases.
Hart, who faces 13 charges, including conspiracy and illegal importation, could receive prison sentences of between five and 20 years. His next hearing is scheduled for March 25.
