World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Copper thief faces jail for releasing R22

13223967_sUSA: An Ohio man who stole air conditioning units for their scrap copper faces 31 months in prison for releasing R22 refrigerant to atmosphere.

Martin C Eldridge III, 35, of Columbus pleaded guilty in US District Court to violating the USA’s Clean Air Act when he cut the pipes on air conditioning units he was stealing, thus releasing R22, a regulated refrigerant, into the environment.

According to court documents, Eldridge and others stole at least 49 air conditioning units between August and October last year in order to sell the copper and parts from the units at scrap yards.

Eldridge pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly venting HCFCs into the environment. Under terms of the plea agreement, Eldridge will serve 31 months in federal prison. The plea agreement recommends that Eldridge serve the federal sentence concurrent with his state sentence on the theft charges.

Eldridge has been in custody since October 2, 2013. Following prison time, Eldridge will be under court supervision for 12 months during which time he must perform 200 hours of community service. The judge is to review the terms of the plea agreement before determining whether or not to accept the agreed-to sentence and schedule a date for sentencing.

“The defendant’s continual theft of air conditioner parts was illegal and a clear violation of the Clean Air Act,” commented Randall K Ashe, special agent in charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement programme in Ohio.  “As this defendant has learned, anyone who thinks that breaking the law is worth the risk should think again.”

This is the first federal case of its kind in the Southern District of Ohio.

Latest News

29th March 2024

BUS applications up 75% in February

UK: Applications for grants under the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in February were 75% higher than during the same month last year, new statistics reveal.
29th March 2024

EBM-Papst opens new Chinese HQ

CHINA: German fans and motors manufacturer EBM-Papst has established a new 33,000m² local headquarters in China, bringing together the company’s previous four locations in Shanghai.
28th March 2024

Hudson warns of unsafe US recovery cylinders

USA: The US refrigerant supplier and reclaimer Hudson Technologies has warned of illegal and unsafe recovery cylinders entering the US market.
28th March 2024

Topical talks at Bath breakfast meeting

UK: The next South West South Wales Refrigeration Society breakfast briefing will feature talks from three experienced and knowledgable speakers on varied refrigeration and air conditioning topics.
28th March 2024

CO2 compressor for multiple applications

ITALY: Frascold’s new TK HD series transcritical CO2 compressors are designed for a wide range of refrigeration and air conditioning applications, as well as high-temperature heat pumps up to 100°C.
28th March 2024

Copeland releases 50hp scroll in Asia

CHINA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland is to launch a 50hp scroll for heat pump OEMs in Asia.