Safeway and US Government Consent Decree
Safeway and US Government Consent Decree
Safeway and US Government Consent Decree
Case No.
1 2 3 4 5 6 IV. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 VIII. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 XV. 23 24 25 26 27 28 XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. EFFECTIVE DATE ...............................................................................................22
RETENTION OF JURISDICTION .......................................................................22
MODIFICATION ..................................................................................................22
TERMINATION....................................................................................................22
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ..................................................................................23 ii Consent Decree
NOTICES...............................................................................................................21
IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. STIPULATED PENALTIES .................................................................................12 FORCE MAJEURE ...............................................................................................14 DISPUTE RESOLUTION .....................................................................................16 INFORMATION COLLECTION AND RETENTION ........................................18
EFFECT OF SETTLEMENT/RESERVATION OF RIGHTS ..............................19
COSTS ...................................................................................................................20
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS .........................................................................10
VII. V. VI. A. B. C. CIVIL PENALTIES.................................................................................................6 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................6 Refrigerant Compliance Management System ............................................6 Corporate-Wide Leak Rate Reduction .........................................................7 Emissions Reductions at Highest-Emission Stores......................................8
PARTICIPATION IN RECOGNITION PROGRAMS .........................................10
DEFINITIONS.........................................................................................................3
I. II. III. TABLE OF CONTENTS
JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND NOTICE.............................................................2
APPLICABILITY....................................................................................................2 OBJECTIVES ..........................................................................................................3
1 2
XXI. XXII.
SIGNATORIES/SERVICE....................................................................................23
INTEGRATION ....................................................................................................24
FINAL JUDGMENT .............................................................................................24
APPENDICES .......................................................................................................24
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WHEREAS, Plaintiff, the United States of America, on behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has filed a Complaint in this action concurrently with this Consent Decree alleging that Defendant Safeway Inc. (Safeway) violated Section 608 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), 42 U.S.C. 7671g, and the commercial refrigerant repair and recordkeeping regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 82, Subpart F, 82.150-82.169 (Recycling and Emissions Reduction); WHEREAS, the Complaint alleges that Safeway has failed to comply with the leak repair and/or recordkeeping requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 82, Subpart F, at some or all of the grocery stores identified in Appendix A to this Consent Decree; WHEREAS, on November 1, 2007, EPA issued an information request to Safeway pursuant to Section 114 of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7414, regarding the repair of leaks from commercial refrigeration appliances normally containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerant that includes a class I or class II ozone-depleting substance, and EPA subsequently narrowed such request to cover 46 stores in California, Nevada, and Hawaii; WHEREAS, on April 21, 2008, and July 1, 2010, Safeway submitted its responses to EPAs information request, including approximately 10,000 pages of equipment records; WHEREAS, the allegations in the Complaint are based on EPAs analysis of the information contained in Safeways responses to EPAs information request; WHEREAS, Safeways Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate for the calendar year 2012 was 25 percent; WHEREAS, Safeway disputes the allegations in the Complaint and does not admit any liability to the United States arising out of the transactions or occurrences alleged in the Complaint; WHEREAS, the Parties recognize, and the Court by entering this Consent Decree finds, that this Consent Decree has been negotiated by the Parties in good faith and will avoid litigation between the Parties and that this Consent Decree is fair, reasonable, and in the public interest; NOW, THEREFORE, before the taking of any testimony, without the adjudication of or admission of any issue of fact or law except as provided in Section I, and with the consent of the 1 Consent Decree
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Parties, IT IS HEREBY ADJUDGED, ORDERED, AND DECREED as follows: I. JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND NOTICE 1. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action and over the
Parties pursuant to Section 113(b) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7413(b), and 28 U.S.C. 1331, 1345, and 1355. Venue lies in this district pursuant to Section 113(b) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7413(b), and 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) and 1395(a), because some of the alleged violations in the Complaint occurred in, and Safeways principal place of business is located in, this judicial district. For purposes of this Decree, or any action to enforce this Decree, Safeway consents to the Courts jurisdiction over this Decree and any such action and over Safeway and consents to venue in this district. 2. The United States has given notice of the commencement of this action to the
applicable air pollution control agencies as required by Section 113(b) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7413(b). II. APPLICABILITY 3. The obligations of this Consent Decree apply to and are binding upon the United
States, and upon Safeway and any successors, assigns, or other entities or persons otherwise bound by law. 4. Safeway shall provide a copy of this Consent Decree to all officers, employees,
and agents whose duties might reasonably include compliance with any provision of this Decree. 5. At least 30 days prior to any transfer of ownership or operation of a retail division
that includes one or more Stores covered by this Consent Decree, Safeway shall provide a copy of this Consent Decree to the proposed transferee. At least 15 days prior to the transfer, Safeway shall provide written notice of the prospective transfer to the United States in accordance with Section XV of this Decree (Notices), and shall submit to the United States a plan to ensure that (a) the Refrigerant Compliance Management System, or another refrigerant compliance management system approved by EPA, continues to be implemented at all stores in such retail division; and (b) the terms of Paragraph 16 of this Decree (Emissions Reductions at HighestEmission Stores) are implemented notwithstanding the transfer, provided that, in place of 2 Consent Decree
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Highest-Emission Stores that are transferred, Safeway may achieve reductions required under Paragraph 16(b) from Stores that are not transferred. Any attempt to transfer ownership or operation of a retail division without complying with this Paragraph constitutes a violation of this Decree. 6. In any action to enforce this Consent Decree, Safeway shall not raise as a defense
the failure by any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, or contractors to take any actions necessary to comply with the provisions of this Consent Decree. III. OBJECTIVES 7. The objectives of this Consent Decree are: (a) to further the goals of Subchapter
VI of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7671-7671q, and EPAs commercial refrigerant repair and recordkeeping regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 82, Subpart F, and (b) to resolve the civil claims of the United States as provided in Section XIII (Effect of Settlement/Reservation of Rights). IV. DEFINITIONS 8. Terms used in this Consent Decree that are defined in the Act or in regulations
promulgated pursuant to the Act shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act or such regulations as of the date of lodging of this Decree, unless otherwise provided in this Decree. Whenever the terms set forth below are used in this Consent Decree, the following definitions shall apply: a. b. action; c. Consent Decree or Decree shall mean this Decree and all appendices Appliance shall have the definition provided in 40 C.F.R. 82.152; Complaint shall mean the complaint filed by the United States in this
attached hereto (listed in Section XXIV); d. Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate for a given calendar year shall
mean the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at all Stores during the period of Safeways ownership or operation in such calendar year divided by the total Full Charge of all Covered Appliances at all Stores during such calendar year. For purposes of this subparagraph, the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances 3 Consent Decree
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shall not include (i) the initial charge of Refrigerant added to any new Covered Appliance; (ii) where Refrigerant has been recovered from an existing Covered Appliance in compliance with 40 C.F.R. 82.156, the amount of any Refrigerant used to recharge such Covered Appliance, up to the amount of Refrigerant recovered; or (iii) the amount of any Refrigerant added to a Covered Appliance to replace Refrigerant released as the result of an event that is determined by EPA or the Court to constitute a force majeure event under Section X of this Consent Decree (Force Majeure). For purposes of this subparagraph, the total Full Charge of all Covered Appliances shall include the Full Charge of any appliance that was at one time a Covered Appliance and that, after the Effective Date of the Consent Decree, has been retrofitted to use, or replaced by an appliance that uses, refrigerant that does not consist in part or whole of a class I or class II ozonedepleting substance, or that has been retired. e. Covered Appliance shall mean a commercial refrigeration Appliance
with a Full Charge of more than 50 pounds of Refrigerant; f. Day shall mean a calendar day. In computing any period of time under
this Consent Decree, where the last day would fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the period shall run until the close of business of the next business day; g. h. Effective Date shall have the definition provided in Section XVI; EPA shall mean the United States Environmental Protection Agency
and any successor departments or agencies of the United States; i. j. Full Charge shall have the definition provided in 40 C.F.R. 82.152; Highest-Emission Stores, for a given calendar year, shall mean those
Stores with Storewide Average Leak Rates in the 90th percentile or above out of all Stores for such calendar year. To determine which Stores are Highest-Emission Stores, Safeway shall (i) prepare a list of all Stores for that calendar year; (ii) calculate the Storewide Average Leak Rate for each Store; (iii) rank each Store by Storewide Average Leak Rate, from highest to lowest; and (iv) identify those Stores with Storewide Average Leak Rates in the 90th percentile or above; k. Paragraph shall mean a portion of this Decree identified by an Arabic 4 Consent Decree
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numeral or an upper or lower case letter; l. m. n. Parties shall mean the United States and Safeway; Refrigerant shall have the definition provided in 40 C.F.R. 82.152; Refrigerant Compliance Management System shall mean the system
described in a Refrigerant Compliance Plan (attached as Appendix B to this Consent Decree) prepared by Safeway and approved by EPA that is directed at assuring compliance with 40 C.F.R. Part 82, Subpart F, at the Stores, and any subsequent amendments or changes to such system made in accordance with Paragraph 13 of this Consent Decree; o. p. numeral; q. Store shall mean any grocery store owned or operated by Safeway in the Safeway shall mean Defendant Safeway Inc.; Section shall mean a portion of this Decree identified by a Roman
United States as of the date in question that contains one or more Covered Appliances, but shall not include any grocery store in Safeways Dominicks Division; r. Storewide Average Leak Rate for a given Store and calendar year shall
mean the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at such Store during the period of Safeways ownership or operation in such calendar year divided by the total Full Charge of all Covered Appliances at such Store during such calendar year. For purposes of this subparagraph, the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances shall not include (i) the initial charge of Refrigerant added to any new Covered Appliance; (ii) where Refrigerant has been recovered from an existing Covered Appliance in compliance with 40 C.F.R. 82.156, the amount of any Refrigerant used to recharge such Covered Appliance, up to the amount of Refrigerant recovered; or (iii) the amount of any Refrigerant added to a Covered Appliance to replace Refrigerant released as the result of an event that is determined by EPA or the Court to constitute a force majeure event under Section X of this Consent Decree (Force Majeure). For purposes of this subparagraph, the total Full Charge of all Covered Appliances shall include the Full Charge of any appliance that was at one time a Covered Appliance and that, after the Effective Date of the Consent Decree, has been retrofitted 5 Consent Decree
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to use, or replaced by an appliance that uses, refrigerant that does not consist in part or whole of a class I or class II ozone-depleting substance, or that has been retired; and s. of EPA. V. CIVIL PENALTIES 9. Within 30 days after the Effective Date of this Consent Decree, Safeway shall pay United States shall mean the United States of America, acting on behalf
the sum of $600,000 as civil penalties. 10. Safeway shall pay the civil penalties due by FedWire Electronic Funds Transfer
(EFT) to the U.S. Department of Justice in accordance with written instructions to be provided to Safeway after the Effective Date by the Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California. At the time of payment, Safeway shall send a copy of the EFT authorization form and the EFT transaction record, together with a transmittal letter, which shall state that the payment is for the civil penalties owed pursuant to the Consent Decree in United States v. Safeway Inc., and shall reference the civil action number and DOJ case number 90-5-2-1-09644, to the United States in accordance with Section XV of this Decree (Notices); by email to [email protected]; and by mail to: EPA Cincinnati Finance Office
26 Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
11. Safeway shall not deduct any penalties paid under this Consent Decree pursuant
to this Section or Section IX (Stipulated Penalties) in calculating its federal income tax. VI. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS A. Refrigerant Compliance Management System 12. Starting no later than 30 days after the Effective Date, Safeway shall implement
the Refrigerant Compliance Management System at all Stores owned or operated by Safeway. 13. Prior to implementing any amendments or changes to its Refrigerant Compliance
Management System, Safeway shall submit a revised Refrigerant Compliance Plan to EPA along with a letter identifying the amendments or changes. Safeway shall implement its amended or changed Refrigerant Compliance Management System unless and until EPA notifies Safeway in 6 Consent Decree
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writing that it disapproves such amendments or changes and provides written comments. Within 30 days of receiving EPAs written notification, Safeway shall either (i) revise the Refrigerant Compliance Plan consistent with EPAs written comments and submit the revised Refrigerant Compliance Plan to EPA, or (ii) invoke Dispute Resolution under Section XI of this Consent Decree. B. Corporate-Wide Leak Rate Reduction 14. Safeway shall achieve a Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate that is at or below 18
percent for the calendar year 2015. 15. If Safeway fails to achieve a Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate that is at or
below 18 percent for the calendar year 2015 in accordance with Paragraph 14, Safeway shall take the following measures: a. Consent Decree. b. By March 1, 2016, Safeway shall submit to EPA a proposed Corrective Safeway shall pay stipulated penalties pursuant to Section IX of this
Action Plan for approval pursuant to this Consent Decree. The proposed Corrective Action Plan shall include a description of all actions taken or to be taken to ensure that Safeway achieves a Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate that is at or below 18 percent for the calendar year 2016, and, with respect to actions not already completed, the schedule for their implementation. c. EPA shall, in writing, either approve the proposed Corrective Action Plan
or disapprove it and provide written comments. Within 30 days of receiving EPAs written comments, Safeway shall either (i) revise the Corrective Action Plan consistent with EPAs written comments and submit the revised Corrective Action Plan to EPA for final approval, or (ii) invoke Dispute Resolution under Section XI of this Consent Decree. To the extent the proposed Corrective Action Plan requires action prior to receipt of EPAs approval or disapproval, Safeway shall implement the proposed Corrective Action Plan in accordance with the schedule set forth therein until EPA approves a Corrective Action Plan or a Corrective Action Plan is completed pursuant to Dispute Resolution. d. Upon receipt of EPAs final approval of the Corrective Action Plan, or 7 Consent Decree
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upon completion of the Corrective Action Plan pursuant to Dispute Resolution, Safeway shall implement the Corrective Action Plan in accordance with the schedule set forth therein. e. Safeway shall achieve a Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate that is at or
below 18 percent for the calendar year 2016. f. If Safeway fails to achieve a Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate that is at
or below 18 percent for the calendar year 2016, Safeway shall continue to take the measures set forth in Paragraph 15 each subsequent year until it achieves a Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate that is at or below 18 percent for a calendar year. C. Emissions Reductions at Highest-Emission Stores 16. In calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015, Safeway shall take the following steps to
achieve a reduction in the aggregate Refrigerant use at its Highest-Emission Stores: a. Within 60 days after the Effective Date of the Consent Decree, and no
later than March 1 of each year after the year of the Effective Date, Safeway shall (i) identify its Highest-Emission Stores for the prior calendar year (the baseline year), and (ii) calculate the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added during the baseline year to all Covered Appliances at such Highest-Emission Stores. b. During the calendar year after the baseline year (the target year),
Safeway shall achieve a reduction of at least 10 percent in the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at the baseline years Highest-Emission Stores. c. In calculating the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added during the
baseline year and the target year, Safeway shall not include (i) the initial charge of Refrigerant added to any new Covered Appliance; (ii) where Refrigerant has been recovered from an existing Covered Appliance in compliance with 40 C.F.R. 82.156, the amount of any Refrigerant used to recharge such Covered Appliance, up to the amount of Refrigerant recovered; or (iii) the amount of any Refrigerant added to a Covered Appliance to replace Refrigerant released as the result of an event that is determined by EPA or the Court to constitute a force majeure event under Section X of this Consent Decree (Force Majeure). 17. If, during any target year, Safeway fails to comply with Paragraph 16(b), Safeway 8 Consent Decree
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shall take the following measures: a. Consent Decree. b. By March 1 of the year after the target year, Safeway shall submit to EPA Safeway shall pay stipulated penalties pursuant to Section IX of this
a proposed Corrective Action Plan for approval pursuant to this Consent Decree. The proposed Corrective Action Plan shall include a description of all actions taken or to be taken to ensure that Safeway, during the calendar year after the target year, achieves a reduction of at least 10 percent in the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at the baseline years Highest-Emission Stores, and, with respect to actions not already completed, the schedule for their implementation. c. EPA shall, in writing, either approve the proposed Corrective Action Plan
or disapprove it and provide written comments. Within 30 days of receiving EPAs written comments, Safeway shall either (i) revise the Corrective Action Plan consistent with EPAs written comments and submit the revised Corrective Action Plan to EPA for final approval, or (ii) invoke Dispute Resolution under Section XI of this Consent Decree. To the extent the proposed Corrective Action Plan requires action prior to receipt of EPAs approval or disapproval, Safeway shall implement the proposed Corrective Action Plan in accordance with the schedule set forth therein until EPA approves a Corrective Action Plan or a Corrective Action Plan is completed pursuant to Dispute Resolution. d. Upon receipt of EPAs final approval of the Corrective Action Plan, or
upon completion of the Corrective Action Plan pursuant to Dispute Resolution, Safeway shall implement the Corrective Action Plan in accordance with the schedule set forth therein. e. Safeway shall, during the calendar year after the target year, achieve a
reduction of at least 10 percent in the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at the baseline years Highest-Emission Stores. 18. Safeway shall continue to take the measures set forth in Paragraph 17 each
subsequent year until, during a calendar year, it achieves a reduction of at least 10 percent in the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at the baseline years 9 Consent Decree
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Highest-Emission Stores. VII. PARTICIPATION IN RECOGNITION PROGRAMS 19. Safeway shall not seek partnership in any federal or state recognition program
relating to ozone-depleting substances, including EPAs GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership, until termination of this Consent Decree. This Paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit Safeway from: (i) exchanging data or information with or through any such recognition program; and/or (ii) seeking certification for newly constructed or significantly remodeled stores. 20. Safeway shall not at any time use or rely on measures taken in order to comply
with the obligations of Section VI of this Consent Decree, or on any reduction in its CorporateWide Average Leak Rate or any Storewide Average Leak Rate achieved pursuant to this Consent Decree, as the basis for participation in any federal or state recognition program. VIII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 21. Within 60 days after the Effective Date of the Consent Decree, and no later than
March 1 of each year after the year of the Effective Date, continuing until the Parties have submitted for the Courts approval a joint stipulation terminating the Consent Decree pursuant to Paragraph 73, Safeway shall submit to the United States a Compliance Report that includes the following information for the prior calendar year: a. b. c. each Store; d. e. f. Leak Rates; g. the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances the Storewide Average Leak Rate for each Store; the Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate; identification of the Highest-Emission Stores and their Storewide Average a list of all Stores, specially noting all openings and closings; the Full Charge, in pounds, of each Covered Appliance at each Store; the number of pounds of Refrigerant added to each Covered Appliance at
at the Highest-Emission Stores identified in such Compliance Report; h. the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances 10 Consent Decree
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at the Highest-Emission Stores identified in the Compliance Report covering the calendar year preceding the prior calendar year (not required for Safeways initial Compliance Report); i. a statement identifying whether Safeway met the requirement for
emissions reductions at Highest-Emission Stores set forth in Paragraph 16 (not required for Safeways initial Compliance Report); j. a statement identifying whether Safeway met the requirement for
emissions reductions at Highest-Emission Stores set forth in Paragraph 17(e) or 18, as applicable (not required for Safeways initial two Compliance Reports); k. a certification that Safeway has complied with the Refrigerant Compliance
Plan during the prior calendar year, or a description of all incidences of noncompliance with the Refrigerant Compliance Plan during the prior calendar year and a certification that Safeway has otherwise complied with the Refrigerant Compliance Plan (not required for Safeways initial Compliance Report); and l. an affirmative statement regarding Safeways compliance or
noncompliance with 40 C.F.R. Part 82, Subpart F, at the Stores during the prior calendar year (not required for Safeways initial Compliance Report). 22. Data in each Compliance Report submitted by Safeway under this Section shall be
in Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet form. Safeway shall submit each Compliance Report to the United States in electronic form in accordance with the requirements of Section XV of this Consent Decree. 23. Each Compliance Report submitted by Safeway under this Section shall be signed
by a Safeway official and shall include the following certification: I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations. 11 Consent Decree
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24.
Whenever any violation of this Consent Decree or any other event affecting
Safeways performance under this Decree, or the performance of its Stores, may pose an immediate threat to the public health or welfare or the environment, Safeway shall notify EPA orally or by electronic or facsimile transmission as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after Safeway first knew of the violation or event. Notification to an applicable national reporting hotline, such as the National Response Center, shall suffice to meet this requirement. This procedure is in addition to the requirements set forth in Paragraphs 21 through 23. 25. The reporting requirements of this Consent Decree do not relieve Safeway of any
reporting obligations required by the Clean Air Act or implementing regulations, or by any other federal, state, or local law, regulation, permit, or other requirement. 26. Any information provided pursuant to this Consent Decree may be used by the
United States in any proceeding to enforce the provisions of this Consent Decree and as otherwise permitted by law. IX. STIPULATED PENALTIES 27. Safeway shall be liable for stipulated penalties to the United States for violations
of this Consent Decree as specified below, unless excused under Section X (Force Majeure). A violation includes failing to perform any obligation required by the terms of this Decree, including any work plan or schedule approved under this Decree, according to all applicable requirements of this Decree and within the specified time schedules established by or approved under this Decree. 28. Payment of Civil Penalties. If Safeway fails to pay the civil penalties required to
be paid under Section V of this Decree (Civil Penalties) when due, Safeway shall pay a stipulated penalty of $2,500 per day for each day that the payment is late. 29. Refrigerant Compliance Management System. For each failure to implement the
Refrigerant Compliance Management System at a Store as required by Paragraph 12, Safeway shall pay a stipulated penalty of $500 per violation per Store per day. 30. Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate. If Safeway fails to achieve a Corporate-
Wide Average Leak Rate that is at or below 18 percent for the calendar year 2015 in accordance 12 Consent Decree
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with Paragraph 14, Safeway shall: (a) pay a stipulated penalty of $100,000, and (b) pay a stipulated penalty of $150,000 for each subsequent calendar year until Safeway achieves a Corporate-Wide Average Leak Rate that is at or below 18 percent. 31. Emissions Reductions at Highest-Emission Stores. If, during any target year,
Safeway fails to achieve a reduction of at least 10 percent in the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at the baseline years Highest-Emission Stores as required by Paragraph 16(b), Safeway shall: (a) pay a stipulated penalty of $25,000 per year, and (b) pay a stipulated penalty of $40,000 for each calendar year after the target year in which Safeway fails to achieve a reduction of at least 10 percent in the total number of pounds of Refrigerant added to all Covered Appliances at the baseline years Highest-Emission Stores. 32. Reporting Requirements. For each failure to comply with the requirements of
Section VIII of this Consent Decree within the specified time schedules established by this Decree, Safeway shall pay a stipulated penalty of $1,000 per violation per day. 33. Stipulated penalties under this Section shall begin to accrue on the day after
performance is due or on the day a violation occurs, whichever is applicable, and shall continue to accrue until performance is satisfactorily completed or until the violation ceases. Stipulated penalties shall accrue simultaneously for separate violations of this Consent Decree. 34. Safeway shall pay any stipulated penalty within 30 days of receiving the United
States written demand. 35. The United States may, in the unreviewable exercise of its discretion, reduce or
waive stipulated penalties otherwise due it under this Consent Decree. 36. Stipulated penalties shall continue to accrue as provided in Paragraph 33 during
any Dispute Resolution, but need not be paid until the following: a. If the dispute is resolved by agreement or by a decision of EPA that is not
appealed to the Court, Safeway shall pay accrued penalties determined to be owing, together with interest, to the United States within 30 days of the effective date of the agreement or the receipt of EPAs decision or order. b. If the dispute is appealed to the Court and the United States prevails in 13 Consent Decree
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whole or in part, Safeway shall pay all accrued penalties determined by the Court to be owing, together with interest, within 60 days of receiving the Courts decision or order, except as provided in subparagraph (c), below. c. If any Party appeals the District Courts decision, Safeway shall pay all
accrued penalties determined to be owing, together with interest, within 15 days of receiving the final appellate court decision. 37. Safeway shall pay stipulated penalties owing to the United States in the manner
set forth and with the confirmation notices required by Paragraph 10, except that the transmittal letter shall state that the payment is for stipulated penalties and shall state for which violation(s) the penalties are being paid. 38. If Safeway fails to pay stipulated penalties according to the terms of this Consent
Decree, Safeway shall be liable for interest on such penalties, as provided for in 28 U.S.C. 1961, accruing as of the date payment became due. Nothing in this Paragraph shall be construed to limit the United States from seeking any remedy otherwise provided by law for Safeways failure to pay any stipulated penalties. 39. Subject to the provisions of Section XIII of this Consent Decree (Effect of
Settlement/Reservation of Rights), the stipulated penalties provided for in this Decree shall be in addition to any other rights, remedies, or sanctions available to the United States for Safeways violation of this Decree or applicable law. Where a violation of this Consent Decree is also a violation of Section 608 of the Act or 40 C.F.R. Part 82, Subpart F, Safeway shall be allowed a credit, for any stipulated penalties paid, against any statutory penalties imposed for such violation. X. FORCE MAJEURE 40. Force majeure, for purposes of this Consent Decree, is defined as any event
arising from causes beyond the control of Safeway, of any entity controlled by Safeway, or of Safeways contractors, that impedes i.e., delays or prevents the performance of any obligation under this Consent Decree despite Safeways best efforts to fulfill the obligation. The requirement that Safeway exercise best efforts to fulfill the obligation includes using best 14 Consent Decree
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efforts to anticipate any potential force majeure event and best efforts to address the effects of any such event (a) as it is occurring and (b) after it has occurred to prevent or minimize any resulting impedance to the greatest extent possible. Force Majeure does not include Safeways financial inability to perform any obligation under this Consent Decree. 41. If any event occurs or has occurred that may impede the performance of any
obligation under this Consent Decree, whether or not caused by a force majeure event, Safeway shall provide notice orally or by electronic or facsimile transmission to EPA, within seven days of when Safeway first knew that the event might cause an impedance. Within 30 days thereafter, Safeway shall provide in writing to EPA an explanation and description of the reasons for the impedance; the duration or anticipated duration of the impedance; all actions taken or to be taken to prevent or minimize the impedance; a schedule for implementation of any measures taken or to be taken to prevent or mitigate the impedance or the effect of the impedance; Safeways rationale for attributing such impedance to a force majeure event if it intends to assert such a claim; and a statement as to whether, in the opinion of Safeway, such event may cause or contribute to an endangerment to public health, welfare or the environment. Safeway shall include with any notice all available documentation supporting the claim that the impedance was attributable to a force majeure. Failure to comply with the above requirements shall preclude Safeway from asserting any claim of force majeure for that event for the period of time of such failure to comply, and for any additional impedance caused by such failure. Safeway shall be deemed to know of any circumstance of which Safeway, any entity controlled by Safeway, or Safeways contractors knew or should have known. 42. If EPA agrees that the impedance or anticipated impedance is attributable to a
force majeure event, EPA will extend the time for performance of the obligations under this Consent Decree that are affected by the force majeure event for such time as is necessary to complete those obligations and/or reduce or waive stipulated penalties otherwise due under this Decree as a result of Safeways failure to perform such obligations. An extension of the time for performance of the obligations affected by the force majeure event shall not, of itself, extend the time for performance of any other obligation. EPA will notify Safeway in writing of its decision, 15 Consent Decree
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including the length of any extension for performance of the obligations affected by the force majeure event. 43. If EPA does not agree that the impedance or anticipated impedance has been or
will be caused by a force majeure event, EPA will notify Safeway in writing of its decision. 44. If Safeway elects to invoke the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section
XI (Dispute Resolution), it shall do so no later than 30 days after receipt of EPAs notice. In any such proceeding, Safeway shall have the burden of demonstrating by a preponderance of the evidence that the impedance or anticipated impedance has been or will be caused by a force majeure event, that the duration of the impedance or the relief sought was or will be warranted under the circumstances, that best efforts were exercised to avoid and mitigate the effects of the impedance, and that Safeway complied with the requirements of Paragraphs 40 and 41, above. If Safeway carries this burden, the impedance at issue shall be deemed not to be a violation by Safeway of the affected obligation of this Consent Decree identified to EPA and the Court. XI. DISPUTE RESOLUTION 45. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in this Consent Decree, the dispute
resolution procedures of this Section shall be the exclusive mechanism to resolve disputes arising under or with respect to this Consent Decree. Safeways failure to seek resolution of a dispute under this Section shall preclude Safeway from raising any such issue as a defense to an action by the United States to enforce any obligation of Safeway arising under this Decree. 46. Informal Dispute Resolution. Any dispute subject to Dispute Resolution under
this Consent Decree shall first be the subject of informal negotiations. The dispute shall be considered to have arisen when Safeway sends the United States a written Notice of Dispute. Such Notice of Dispute shall state clearly the matter in dispute. The period of informal negotiations shall not exceed 20 days from the date the dispute arises, unless that period is modified by written agreement. If the Parties cannot resolve a dispute by informal negotiations, then the position advanced by the United States shall be considered binding unless, within 30 days after the conclusion of the informal negotiation period, Safeway invokes formal dispute resolution procedures as set forth below. 16 Consent Decree
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47.
procedures, within the time period provided in the preceding Paragraph, by serving on the United States a written Statement of Position regarding the matter in dispute. The Statement of Position shall include, but need not be limited to, any factual data, analysis, or opinion supporting Safeways position and any supporting documentation relied upon by Safeway. 48. The United States shall serve its Statement of Position within 30 days of receipt of
Safeways Statement of Position. The United States Statement of Position shall include, but need not be limited to, any factual data, analysis, or opinion supporting that position and any supporting documentation relied upon by the United States. The United States Statement of Position shall be binding on Safeway, unless Safeway files a motion for judicial review of the dispute in accordance with the following Paragraph. 49. Safeway may seek judicial review of the dispute by filing with the Court and
serving on the United States, in accordance with Section XV of this Consent Decree (Notices), a motion requesting judicial resolution of the dispute. The motion must be filed within 30 days of receipt of the United States Statement of Position pursuant to the preceding Paragraph. The motion shall contain a written statement of Safeways position on the matter in dispute, including any supporting factual data, analysis, opinion, or documentation, and shall set forth the relief requested and any schedule within which the dispute must be resolved for orderly implementation of the Consent Decree. 50. The United States shall respond to Safeways motion within the time period
allowed by the Local Rules of this Court. Safeway may file a reply memorandum, to the extent permitted by the Local Rules. 51. Standard of Review. Except as otherwise provided in this Consent Decree, in any
dispute brought under Paragraph 47, Safeway shall bear the burden of demonstrating that its position complies with this Consent Decree and that it is entitled to relief under applicable principles of law. In their initial filings with the Court under Paragraphs 49 and 50, the Parties shall state their respective positions as to the applicable standard of law for resolving the dispute. 52. The invocation of dispute resolution procedures under this Section shall not, by 17 Consent Decree
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itself, extend, postpone, or affect in any way any obligation of Safeway under this Consent Decree, unless and until final resolution of the dispute so provides. Stipulated penalties with respect to the disputed matter shall continue to accrue from the first day of noncompliance, but payment shall be stayed pending resolution of the dispute as provided in Paragraph 36. If Safeway does not prevail on the disputed issue, stipulated penalties shall be assessed and paid as provided in Section IX (Stipulated Penalties). XII. INFORMATION COLLECTION AND RETENTION 53. The United States and its representatives, including attorneys, contractors, and
consultants, shall have the right of entry into any Store covered by this Consent Decree, at all reasonable times, upon presentation of credentials, to: a. b. monitor the progress of activities required under this Consent Decree; verify any data or information submitted to the United States in
accordance with the terms of this Consent Decree; c. d. 54. obtain documentary evidence, including photographs and similar data; and assess Safeways compliance with this Consent Decree.
Until five years after the termination of this Consent Decree, Safeway shall retain,
and shall instruct its contractors and agents to preserve, all documents, records, or other information (including documents, records, or other information in electronic form) necessary to demonstrate Safeways performance of its obligations under this Consent Decree. This information-retention requirement shall apply regardless of any contrary corporate or institutional policies or procedures. At any time during this information-retention period, upon request by the United States, Safeway shall provide copies of any documents, records, or other information required to be maintained under this Paragraph. 55. At the conclusion of the information-retention period provided in the preceding
Paragraph, Safeway shall notify the United States at least 90 days prior to the destruction of any documents, records, or other information subject to the requirements of the preceding Paragraph and, upon request by the United States, Safeway shall deliver any such documents, records, or other information to EPA. Safeway may assert that certain documents, records, or other 18 Consent Decree
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information is privileged under the attorney-client privilege or any other privilege recognized by federal law. If Safeway asserts such a privilege, it shall provide the following: (1) the title of the document, record, or information; (2) the date of the document, record, or information; (3) the name and title of each author of the document, record, or information; (4) the name and title of each addressee and recipient; (5) a description of the subject of the document, record, or information; and (6) the privilege asserted by Safeway. However, no documents, records, or other information required to be created or generated under this Consent Decree shall be withheld on grounds of privilege. 56. Safeway may also assert that information required to be provided under this
Section is protected as Confidential Business Information (CBI) under 40 C.F.R. Part 2. As to any information that Safeway seeks to protect as CBI, Safeway shall follow the procedures set forth in 40 C.F.R. Part 2. 57. This Consent Decree in no way limits or affects any right of entry and inspection,
or any right to obtain information, held by the United States pursuant to applicable federal laws, regulations, or permits, nor does it limit or affect any duty or obligation of Safeway to maintain documents, records, or other information imposed by applicable federal or state laws, regulations, or permits. XIII. EFFECT OF SETTLEMENT/RESERVATION OF RIGHTS 58. This Consent Decree resolves the civil claims of the United States against
Safeway for any violations of 40 C.F.R. 82.156(i), 82.166(k), or 82.166(m) at the Stores arising out of facts and events that occurred prior to the date of lodging, including the civil claims of the United States for the violations alleged in the Complaint through the date of lodging. 59. The United States reserves all legal and equitable remedies available to enforce
the provisions of this Consent Decree, except as expressly stated in Paragraph 58. This Consent Decree shall not be construed to limit the rights of the United States to obtain penalties or injunctive relief under the Act or implementing regulations, or under other federal laws, regulations, or permit conditions, except as expressly specified in Paragraph 58. 19 Consent Decree
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60.
States for injunctive relief, civil penalties, or other appropriate relief relating to the Stores, Safeway shall not assert, and may not maintain, any defense or claim based upon the principles of waiver, res judicata, collateral estoppel, issue preclusion, claim preclusion, claim-splitting, or other defenses based upon any contention that the claims raised by the United States in the subsequent proceeding were or should have been brought in the instant case, except with respect to claims that have been specifically resolved pursuant to Paragraph 58. 61. This Consent Decree is not a permit, or a modification of any permit, under any
federal, state, or local laws or regulations. Safeway is responsible for achieving and maintaining complete compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permits; and Safeways compliance with this Consent Decree shall be no defense to any action commenced pursuant to any such laws, regulations, or permits, except as set forth herein. The United States does not, by its consent to the entry of this Consent Decree, warrant or aver in any manner that Safeways compliance with any aspect of this Consent Decree will result in compliance with provisions of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., or with any other provisions of federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or permits. 62. This Consent Decree does not limit or affect the rights of Safeway or of the
United States against any third parties, not party to this Consent Decree, nor does it limit the rights of third parties, not party to this Consent Decree, against Safeway, except as otherwise provided by law. 63. This Consent Decree shall not be construed to create rights in, or grant any cause
of action to, any third party not party to this Consent Decree. XIV. COSTS 64. The Parties shall bear their own costs of this action, including attorneys fees,
except that the United States shall be entitled to collect the costs (including attorneys fees) incurred in any judicial enforcement action necessary to collect any portion of the civil penalties or any stipulated penalties due but not paid by Safeway.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 66. 65.
XV. NOTICES
Unless otherwise specified herein, whenever notifications, submissions, or
communications are required by this Consent Decree, they shall be made in writing and addressed as follows: For notifications, submissions, or communications to the United States: Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section Environment and Natural Resources Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 7611 Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-7611 [email protected] Re: DOJ No. 90-5-2-1-09644 and Brian Riedel ([email protected]) Joel Jones ([email protected]) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 For notifications, submissions, or communications to EPA: Brian Riedel ([email protected]) Joel Jones ([email protected]) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 For notifications, submissions, or communications to Safeway: Valerie D. Lewis Senior Corporate Counsel Safeway Inc. 5918 Stoneridge Mall Road Pleasanton, CA 94588 [email protected]
Any Party may, by written notice to the other Parties, change its designated notice
recipient or notice address provided in Paragraph 22 or 65 of this Consent Decree. 21 Consent Decree
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67.
mailing or electronic mailing, as applicable, unless otherwise provided in this Consent Decree or by mutual agreement of the Parties in writing. XVI. EFFECTIVE DATE 68. The Effective Date of this Consent Decree shall be the date upon which this
Decree is entered by the Court or a motion to enter the Decree is granted, whichever occurs first, as recorded on the Courts docket. XVII. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION 69. The Court shall retain jurisdiction over this case until termination of this Consent
Decree, for the purpose of resolving disputes arising under this Decree or entering orders modifying this Decree, pursuant to Sections XI and XVIII, or effectuating or enforcing compliance with the terms of this Decree. XVIII. MODIFICATION 70. The terms of this Consent Decree, including any attached appendices, may be
modified only by a subsequent written agreement signed by the Parties. Where the modification constitutes a material change to this Decree, it shall be effective only upon approval by the Court. 71. Any disputes concerning modification of this Decree shall be resolved pursuant to
Section XI of this Decree (Dispute Resolution), provided, however, that, instead of the burden of proof provided by Paragraph 51, the Party seeking the modification bears the burden of demonstrating that it is entitled to the requested modification in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b). XIX. TERMINATION 72. After Safeway has completed the requirements of Section VI (Compliance
Requirements) of this Consent Decree, has complied with all other requirements of this Decree, and has paid the civil penalties and any accrued stipulated penalties as required by this Decree, Safeway may serve upon the United States a Request for Termination, stating that Safeway has satisfied those requirements, together with all necessary supporting documentation. 22 Consent Decree
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73.
Following receipt by the United States of Safeways Request for Termination, the
Parties shall confer informally concerning the Request and any disagreement that the Parties may have as to whether Safeway has satisfactorily complied with the requirements for termination of this Consent Decree. If the United States agrees that the Consent Decree may be terminated, the Parties shall submit, for the Courts approval, a joint stipulation terminating the Decree. 74. If the United States does not agree that the Consent Decree may be terminated,
Safeway may invoke Dispute Resolution under Section XI of this Decree. However, Safeway shall not seek Dispute Resolution of any dispute regarding termination, under Paragraph 47 of Section XI, until 60 days after service of its Request for Termination. XX. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 75. This Consent Decree shall be lodged with the Court for a period of not less than
30 days for public notice and comment in accordance with 28 C.F.R. 50.7. The United States reserves the right to withdraw or withhold its consent if the comments regarding the Consent Decree disclose facts or considerations indicating that the Consent Decree is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. Safeway consents to entry of this Consent Decree without further notice and agrees not to withdraw from or oppose entry of this Consent Decree by the Court or to challenge any provision of the Decree, unless the United States has notified Safeway in writing that it no longer supports entry of the Decree. XXI. SIGNATORIES/SERVICE 76. Each undersigned representative of Safeway and the Assistant Attorney General
for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice certifies that he or she is fully authorized to enter into the terms and conditions of this Consent Decree and to execute and legally bind the Party he or she represents to this document. 77. This Consent Decree may be signed in counterparts, and its validity shall not be
challenged on that basis. Safeway agrees to accept service of process by mail with respect to all matters arising under or relating to this Consent Decree and to waive the formal service requirements set forth in Rules 4 and 5 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and any applicable Local Rules of this Court including, but not limited to, service of a summons. 23 Consent Decree
XXII. INTEGRATION
This Consent Decree constitutes the final, complete, and exclusive agreement and
understanding among the Parties with respect to the settlement embodied in the Decree and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, concerning the settlement embodied herein. Other than deliverables that are subsequently submitted and approved pursuant to this Consent Decree, no other document, nor any representation, inducement, agreement, understanding, or promise, constitutes any part of this Decree or the settlement it represents, nor shall it be used in construing the terms of this Decree. XXIII. FINAL JUDGMENT Upon approval and entry of this Consent Decree by the Court, this Consent
Decree shall constitute a final judgment of the Court as to the United States and Safeway. XXIV. APPENDICES The following appendices are attached to and part of this Consent Decree:
Appendix A is the list of Stores as of the date of lodging of the Consent Decree. Appendix B is the Refrigerant Compliance Plan.
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THE UNDERSIGNED PARTIES enter into this Consent Decree in the matter of United States v. Safeway Inc. (N.D. Cal.): FOR PLAINTIFF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
______________________________________ ROBERT G. DREHER Acting Assistant Attorney General Environment and Natural Resources Division
______________________________________ MARK SABATH Trial Attorney Environmental Enforcement Section Environment and Natural Resources Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 7611 Washington, DC 20044-7611 (202) 514-1196
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THE UNDERSIGNED PARTIES enter into this Consent Decree in the matter of United States v. Safeway Inc. (N.D. Cal.): FOR PLAINTIFF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
______________________________________ SUSAN SHINKMAN, Director Office of Civil Enforcement Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20460
______________________________________ PHILLIP BROOKS Director, Air Enforcement Division Office of Civil Enforcement Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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THE UNDERSIGNED PARTIES enter into this Consent Decree in the matter of United States v. Safeway Inc. (N.D. Cal.): FOR PLAINTIFF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
______________________________________ JARED BLUMENFELD Regional Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105
______________________________________ BRIAN P. RIEDEL Assistant Regional Counsel U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX
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THE UNDERSIGNED PARTIES enter into this Consent Decree in the matter of United States v. Safeway Inc. (N.D. Cal.): FOR DEFENDANT SAFEWAY INC.:
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A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
A-5
A-6
A-7
A-8
A-9
A-10
A-11
A-12
A-13
A-14
A-15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 APPENDIX B
[Refrigerant Compliance Plan]