Posted on 12/06/2024 9:17:30 PM PST by Libloather
The Biden administration boasted in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released Thursday about the unprecedented prosecution of a California man for “smuggling greenhouse gases” across the border from Mexico and selling them online.
Michael Hart, 58, was arrested in March and pleaded guilty in September to charges related to transporting refrigerants into the US to peddle on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and other online vendors between June and December 2022.
Biden’s EPA touted the crackdown on Hart, the first-ever person charged for climate change-related bootlegging of refrigerants — namely, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) — without the agency’s approval, in its report.
When charging the San Diego resident earlier this year, US Attorney Tara McGrath vowed “it will not be the last” case of its kind.
“We are using every means possible to protect our planet from the harm caused by toxic pollutants, including bringing criminal charges,” the prosecutor from the Southern District of California said.
Hart concealed the refrigerants, or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs), under a tarp and some tools in his pickup truck when crossing the border, according to federal prosecutors.
The importation of HFCs, a synthetic refrigerant typically used in older air conditioning systems, is outlawed under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 — passed as part of a government spending bill in December of that year.
In total, the EPA report revealed 121 criminal defendants have been charged with climate crimes in 2024 — the highest amount since Biden, 82, took office — and that it concluded more than 1,850 civil cases.
The environmental authority also reported slapping $1.7 billion in penalties on climate offenders in the latest fiscal year, the highest level reached under Biden.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Banned in America but not Mexico.
The new approved refridgerants are less efficient and cost more.
Hart is scheduled to be sentenced December 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark W. Pletcher and Department of Justice Environmental Crimes Section Senior Trial Attorney Stephen DaPonte.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 24-CR-0383-H
Michael Hart Age: 58 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Violate the Clean Air Act Regulations (Title 42, U.S.C., Secs. 7671, 7413) and the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act Regulations (Title 42, U.S.C., Secs. 7675, 7413) – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
Grabby Poppy judge [George H. W. Bush], and she went to Calvin College.
This is not a nothing. if you have an older building (and I mean built 1970-1980, not 1930) and need an outlawed refrigerant, you’re more or less forced to buy and install a new a/c system which could be near or into six figures, counting ducting and power considerations.
Dear President Trump:
Please fire ALL of the U.S. attorneys after January 20th, just like Bill Clinton did in January 1993.
Start with U.S. attorney Tara McGrath.
Thank-you in advance.
Yet nothing is done to those cartels and others smuggling tons of fentanyl into our country, which has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans.
That’s nothing compared to all the crack smoke Hunter released into the atmosphere.
Burning Parmesan cheese is pretty bad too.
So wearing pants while crossing the border, is “Concealing Jewels?”
The refrigerants are used in every other country yet some how in California the planet would be destroyed if the refrigerants were used.
They are used buy millions of cars and frigs and a/c units in California yet the planet is not being destroyed.
You go to Mexico, get recharged on your Freon, then drive back. Simple
CO2 supposedly is a dangerous gas. Releasing it into the atmosphere is causing catastrophic climate change. So how soon can we expect a ban on all sodas, beer and the rest of bubbly drinks!?
All you planet killers with your carbonating drink machines using CO2 are destroying the planet!
(sarcasm off)
Trump’s going to have his work cut out for him pardoning people.
Could I be charged for spreading greenhouse gases if it an be shown that I keep on exhaling CO2 ?
You should make a standalone post on firing the greasy attorneys.
Liberals- Imprisoning the working class and Christians who protest for life of the unborn. Oh, and le5s not forget, the left ignore the suffering in this nation while,sending hundreds of billions to foreign nations!
Wake up nation! The left hate you!
Would smuggling burritos over the border be considered transporting potential gasses?
The government would rather we have explode gas as our refrigerant.
“ Absolute nonsense!!! There is ZERO evidence that use of these refrigerants causes any change to the climate. There is evidence that the companies which produce refrigerants and related equipment profit from this nonsense. They are likely big Democrat donors.”
W have a winner Alex!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.