# PRICE COSTCO, INC.
> **Judicial** · FY1995 · — · Combined With Another Case(s)
## Case
- **Activity ID:** `52581`
- **Case Number:** 09-1995-0018
- **Type:** Judicial
- **Lead:** EPA
- **Outcome:** Combined With Another Case(s)
- **Penalty assessed:** $116K
- **Cost recovery:** —
- **Compliance action $:** —
- **Multimedia (multi-env):** N
## Defendants
- PRICE COSTCO, INC. (complaint) (settlement)
## Summary

ON AUGUST 15, 1995, REGION IX SENT A LITIGATION REPORT     TO OECA REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT PRE-REFERRAL     NEGOTIATIONS IN A CIVIL ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST           PRICE/COSTCO, INC. OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, FOR VIOLATIONS    OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT.  COSTCO OWNS AND OPERATES 188 DISCOUNT WAREHOUSE FACILITIES WHICH SELL 30-POUND CANISTERS OF FREON. FREON IS AN OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCE SUBJECT TO REGULATION  UNDER TITLE VI OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT.  EPA'S REGULATIONS      IMPLEMENTING TITLE VI INCLUDE A SALES RESTRICION.  THE SALES RESTRICTION, WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON NOVEMBER 14, 1994,    RESTRICTS THE SALE OF CERTAIN OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES,    INCLUDING 30-POUND CANISTERS OF FREON, TO PERSONS WHO HAVE   BEEN TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN OPERATING EQUIPMENT WHICH      PREVENTS VENTING FREON TO THE ATMOSPHERE.  EVIDENCE          DEVELOPED BY REGIONS IX AND X ESTABLISHES THAT BETWEEN       NOVEMBER 14, 1994, AND ABOUT JANUARY 16, 1995, COSTCO SOLD   NUMEROUS 30-POUND CANISTERS OF FREON WITHOUT REQUIRING THE   PURCHASER TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF CERTIFICATION.  IN ADDITION,   AN EPA INSPECTOR WHO IS NOT CERTIFIED PURCHASED A 30-POUND   CANISTER AT COSTCO IN SEATTLE.  THE LITIGATION REPORT        RECOMMENDS COLLECTING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR COSTCO'S           VIOLATIONS OF THE SALES RESTRICTION. THIS CASE WAS A JOINT   REFERRAL WITH REGION 10 (THEIR # 10-95-0115).  WE SPLIT THE  REPORTED NUMBERS (CCDS FORM #20A - TOP OF SIDE 2 - AMT OF    FREON REPORTED).

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