Man pleads not guilty to first in the nation greenhouse gas smuggling charges

Michael Hart, a 58-year-old San Diego resident, on Monday pleaded not guilty to charges that he smuggled refrigerants into the United States and sold them for profit. The Justice Department on Monday said it had brought 13 charges against Hart.

That’s illegal? The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 prohibits bringing hydrofluorocarbons into the United States without proper authorization. Hydrofluorocarbons are commonly used as refrigerants but are a potent greenhouse gas that can harm the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

How did Hart allegedly do this? Hart allegedly purchased units of hydrofluorocarbons in Mexico and then snuck them into the United States by hiding them in his vehicle under tools and a tarp. He then sold them on sites like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace.

What happens now? Hart is scheduled to appear in court on March 25, 2024. That hearing will focus on any motions brought by either side and will attempt to set a start date for his trial. Hart could face decades behind bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines if convicted.

Dig deeper: Read Ericka Anderson’s column in WORLD Opinions about young environmentalists falling into despair.