California man is first in the US to be charged with smuggling greenhouse gases, prosecutors say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

California man is first in the US to be charged with smuggling greenhouse gases, prosecutors say

A Southern California man was arrested on suspicion of smuggling refrigerants into the U.S. from Mexico

By The Associated Press
March 4, 2024, 10:19 PM ET • 2 min

SAN DIEGO -- A Southern California man was arrested Monday on suspicion of smuggling refrigerants into the U.S. from Mexico and federal prosecutors said he's the first person to be charged with violating regulations intended to curb the use of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

The indictment alleges Michael Hart, of San Diego, smuggled the ozone-depleting chemicals across the border concealed under a tarp and tools in his vehicle. He posted them for sale on the internet, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Hart was arraigned Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to 13 charges including conspiracy, sale of prohibited materials and illegal importation, the statement said.

It's the first prosecution in the U.S. to include charges related to a 2020 law that prohibits the importation of hydrofluorocarbons, commonly used as refrigerants, without permission from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to prosecutors.

{snip}

[RockRaven]

1. There'll be a million bad RW wannabe-comedian bits about this and farts.

Or there would be, if this were a bigger story.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Article makes ignorant confusion between ozone depleting gases and greenhouse gases. . . . nt

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. No, it does not.

The Associated Press writer correctly uses the words "refrigerants" and "hydrofluorocarbons" throughout the article. It is only when the statement from the U.S. Attorney's office is quoted or otherwise referred to that the term "greenhouse gases" appears.

“This is the first time the Department of Justice is prosecuting someone for illegally importing greenhouse gases, and it will not be the last," U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in a statement. "We are using every means possible to protect our planet from the harm caused by toxic pollutants, including bringing criminal charges.”

And good morning.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Okay, thanks for setting the attribution correctly. It is still an ignorant confusion. . . . nt

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. It is possible the AP writer took some chemistry courses along the way and knows the distinction.

Last edited Tue Mar 5, 2024, 10:08 AM - Edit history (1)

The U.S. Attorney? Less so.

The AP can't make up quoted material, so the statement ran as delivered. The AP dislikes making corrections along the way.

From the June 2004, 39th edition of "The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law," which is the one I have next to me whenever I'm on the computer:

(sic) Do not use (sic) unless it is in the matter being quoted. To show that an error, peculiar usage or spelling is in the original, use a note to the editors at the top of the story, below the summary line but above the byline."

I would have used an Oxford comma there myself (error, peculiar usage, or spelling), but you know how that goes.

If you write the Associated Press, they might do that.

Thanks for writing.